2 November 2001

ACT must end 'conspicuous silence' on cannabis

"If the ACT Party has any intention to rekindle a 'liberal vision' then it must end its conspicuous silence on cannabis law reform," Green MP Nandor Tanczos said today.

ACT President Catherine Judd said yesterday that ACT has launched a project to rekindle the party's liberal vision in an effort to appeal to young urban liberals and to regenerate the party.

"They say they support individual freedom and personal responsibility, but the ACT party has been conspicuously silent on the issue of cannabis law reform. Again I challenge the party to show some courage and say where they stand," said Nandor.

"If ACT really wants to attract 'young urban liberals' they have to offer more than just weasel words," he said.

"There is no way that 'young urban liberals' will support a party that condones the criminalisation of over half of the adult population for a victimless crime."

Nandor said the cannabis issue was a litmus test for ACT and a challenge to Catherine Judd's efforts to position the party as the promoter of a 'free society'.

"ACT has given up on its principles to chase the red-neck vote."

ENDS

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