Impacts of OC spray policy on Territory healthcare not considered, CLP says

The CLP says it has not considered how legalising OC spray could impact the NT health system, as the Chief Minister downplays the risk of innocent Territorians being left with ‘sore eyes’.

The Country Liberal government says it has not considered how legalising pepper spray could impact the Northern Territory health system, as the Chief Minister downplays the risk of innocent Territorians being left with “sore eyes for a little while”.

Last week the CLP announced a 12 month trial to allow members of the public to buy pepper spray – also known as capsicum or OC spray – for self defence.

Similar to Western Australia, Territorians without a serious criminal history and aged over 18 years old would be able to purchase the controlled weapon from licensed dealers at a diluted concentration.

Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said it would “give law-abiding citizens more options to protect themselves” – while acknowledging the risk of it falling into the wrong hands.

“If someone wants to hurt you or cause harm, they can and they will,” she told ABC Radio Darwin on Tuesday.

“Whether you’re on your jog and someone picks up a stick or a rock, whether you’re asleep in your bed and someone grabs the lamp next to your bedside table … you could flesh this out to literally every item in your house.

“So it’s about making sure that we’ve got the right controls in place, and at the end of the day, if OC spray got in the wrong hands, someone will have sore eyes for a little while.”

In the same interview, Mrs Finocchiaro said while the OC spray available to the public would not be as high grade as police, it was “more than an irritation”.

NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro and Health Minister Steve Edgington. Picture: Alex Treacy

During budget estimates on Tuesday Health Minister Steve Edgington was questioned about the possible burden on hospitals from OC spray related incidents.

He said no modelling had been done and that it was “too early” to focus on the details.

“The Chief Minister made that announcement last week,” Mr Edgington told the estimates committee.

“When it comes to modelling of potential presentations into the health system, any of that work will be considered at a future point, but it certainly hasn’t been considered at this point.

“As the policy progresses, I’m sure there’ll be some discussions about that.”

Mr Edgington also said there was no evidence to support any significant impact of OC spray on frontline healthcare staff.

Opposition Leader Selena Uibo accused the Chief Minister of a “careless” attitude towards “innocent Territorians (being) sprayed in the eyes with a controlled weapon she is putting in the public sphere”.

“This isn’t leadership – this is lazy policy with lasting consequences and no proof it will make our community safer,” Ms Uibo said.

Originally published as Impacts of OC spray policy on Territory healthcare not considered, CLP says