Mr ROSS CAMERON —I would like to respond to some of the matters raised by the member for Grayndler. I accept his proposition that mere moralising contributes little to a debate such as this. I also find myself in fundamental 180 degree opposition to the thrust of his remarks. I salute and applaud the decision of the police to raid the Wayside Chapel. If you are in a situation where you have a law which is being openly flouted, there is a principle of the rule of law which says that you must either change it or enforce it. The member for Grayndler would ask us to change it.

I uphold and support the idea that we make criminal both the sale and the use of drugs which kill people. I uphold and support a policy which says to a generation of young Australians that, if you get involved in the drug culture, it will have very serious consequences not only for your health and life but also for your status within the community in terms of the criminal code.

I am not here to pass judgment on the decisions of individuals. What I am here to say is that we as a government have at times an unpleasant and difficult duty to enforce and uphold a principle of life. The idea that you can evacuate law of moral content is the greatest juridical fallacy ever uttered. Every law ever passed has a piece of moral content, otherwise it would not be worthy of being passed. The challenge is to ensure that the moral content in every law is worth upholding.

The use of illicit drugs, particularly heroin addiction is a massive problem but, for every Trimmingham, there is a Woods family. I have met with Tony Trimmingham in my office. I accept that he is a well-motivated individual. I accept that he believes he is doing the best for Australia. I just fundamentally disagree with him. By contrast, I find myself deeply resonating with the message of the Woods family who have undergone and suffered exactly the same tragedy, who would urge upon us, as legislators, a determined commitment to the idea of zero tolerance.

The question is: what is the message that we, as a government, are sending to young Australians? Is it a message which says, `Drugs have a recreational place, but if you're going to take them, just do it hygienically'? This to me is just throwing in the white towel. It is giving up. It is accepting that, if we are going to see a generation of young Australians die of drug overdoses, let us do it in a comfortable room and let us do it hygienically. I am opposed to that approach.

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Nehl) —Order! In accordance with sessional order 275A, the time for members' statements has concluded.