Proposed new legislation to regulate fuel available in the Northern Territory

The Greens introduced legislation on the 1 March 2012 into Federal Parliament which would give the Commonwealth the power to regulate which fuels are sold in regional areas of the Northern Territory (NT).

An alliance of Aboriginal medical organisations has thrown its support behind the proposed legislation. John Paterson from the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance of the NT (AMSANT) says the low aromatic fuel Opal has helped reduce cases of severe psychological illnesses that can arise from sniffing regular fuel. Mr Paterson says the current use of Opal fuel in some areas has had a positive effect on reducing petrol sniffing.

'We have seen evidence that Opal fuel has reduced severe psychological and mental illnesses amongst Aboriginal people,' he said.

Source: ABC News

Contacts

Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance of the NT
GPO Box 1624
Darwin NT 0801
Ph: (08) 8944 6666
Fax: (08) 8981 4825
Email: reception@amsant.org.au

Links

• View news item: Aboriginal alliance backs petrol sniffing controls