2nd of April, 2025, 12:09pm
Parliament of Victoria | Legislative Council
David ETTERSHANK (Western Metropolitan):
My question is for the Minister for Police in the other place. 420 Day, an international day of action to celebrate cannabis and protest our drug laws, falls on Easter Sunday this year. There is an event in Flagstaff Gardens where very relaxed adults may risk lighting up a joint in defiance of our outdated and unjust laws. While the police at last year’s 420 event were not as heavy handed as in years gone by, there was still a significant Victoria Police presence, complete with sniffer dogs. Once again Victoria was the only state in the country where arrests were made, in this case 36 in total. The Victoria Police Drug Strategy 2020–2025 outlines its new approach for tackling drugs: focusing police efforts on drugs that cause the most harm, disrupting drug markets and pursuing unexplained wealth. Does the minister know if the 36 arrests made were effective in addressing any of the aims of Victoria Police’s new approach, as outlined in their strategy?
Enver ERDOGAN (Southern Metropolitan – Minister representing the Minister of Police):
I thank Mr Ettershank for his question and his interest in these matters. I will take that question on notice and forward it to the Minister for Police in the other place for an appropriate written response.
David ETTERSHANK (Western Metropolitan):
Thank you, Minister. I appreciate that. The previously mentioned police drug strategy talks of Victoria Police’s commitment to minimising the impact of drug-fuelled behaviour, such as violence, burglaries, drug-related road trauma, family violence and sexual assault. We would all hope to see these sorts of crimes minimised. Indeed this Parliament passed two pieces of legislation aimed at protecting the community from violent crime. Given the significant resources it will take to administer these new laws to keep the community safe from violent crime, I wonder what the justification is for devoting scarce police resources to policing a harmless event like 420. Can the minister provide information on the budget for policing the 2025 420 event on Easter Sunday, a public holiday?
Enver ERDOGAN (Southern Metropolitan – Minister representing the Minister of Police):
I thank Mr Ettershank for that supplementary question. I will make sure that is forwarded to the Minister for Police in the other place for an appropriate response.
Written Answer
Received: 18 June 2025
Hon. Anthony Carbines
(Minister for Police, Minister for Community Safety, Minister for Victims, Minister for Racing)
Written Response
The Victorian Government is working to prevent and reduce drug addiction and related harms within the community. The Victoria Police Drug Strategy 2020-2025 details Victoria Police’s commitment to preventing drug-related harm through diversion, referral to treatment and early intervention to prevent offence escalation.
Drug-related arrests are made in the interests of both public and personal safety, as Victoria Police recognises that drug problems are first and foremost health issues. Police use their training and discretion to determine a proportionate response, and I support the independence of Victoria Police when making these decisions.
Attendees at last year’s event identified to be in possession of small amounts of cannabis were issued with cautions or diversions, and only three attendees were arrested and taken into custody.
Police will ensure a consistent policing approach to anyone found using, possessing, or trafficking drugs of dependence in line with legislation, Victoria Police policy, and the Victoria Police Drug Strategy. Any individual processed for drug offences following this event will be referred for treatment or education programs.
[ENDS]
