Qld election: Three strikes drug rule to be struck out by LNP

Queensland’s progressive three-strike drug possession laws will be repealed under an LNP government Opposition Leader David Crisafulli has confirmed.

Leader of the LNP David Crisafulli. Picture Liam Kidston

Queensland’s progressive three-strike drug possession laws will be repealed under an LNP government Opposition Leader David Crisafulli has confirmed.

The party is also adamant pill testing will not take place at Schoolies this year if they win government on the weekend, despite the peak body representing doctors asking for the initiative to stay amid concerns over a synthetic opioid currently in circulation.

Mr Crisafulli, speaking at The Y in Victoria Point, said the LNP didn’t believe a “soft on drugs approach works”.

In April 2023 the Labor government passed new laws which gave Queenslanders three chances when found with small amounts of heroin, cocaine, or ice, before facing a criminal charge.

The laws were strongly supported by senior cops and health experts.

Mr Crisafulli confirmed the laws would be repealed by an LNP government.

“I don’t believe in rolling out the welcome mat for drug use,” he said.

Mr Crisafulli said he believed drug use was a health issue that can lead to crime issues.

The Australian Medical Association of Queensland has urged the LNP not to scrap pill testing at Schoolies — as they have previously said they would.

The LNP will scrap pill testing at Schoolies. (Photo by Sergio Dionisio/Getty Images)

It comes after a super-potent synthetic opioid known as CanKet was detected in the community.

“From our perspective, if people are choosing to take unknown substances, the pill testing is a good opportunity to have that substance tested,” AMAQ president Nick Yim said.

“But at the same time, those facilities create a conversation with that young individual.

“Doctors see first-hand the grief and devastation caused when families lose loved ones through drug use. It is particularly distressing when such poisonings and deaths are preventable.”

President of the AMA Qld, Dr Nick Yim. (Image/Josh Woning)

CanKet CanKet – also known as 2F-NENDCK – has been detected in Queensland by the government’s CheQpoint testing system.

It is an illegally produced analogue of ketamine, which can leave people dissociated and unable to move.

In extreme cases, or when mixed with other drugs, overdose could lead to death.

Mr Crisafulli said the LNP respects the AMAQ but the two groups didn’t agree on everything.

“We don’t believe a soft on drugs approach works,” he said.