IMPORTATION OF TABLET PRESSES TO BE BANNED FROM 2010
16 December 2009
Minister for Home Affairs, Brendan O’Connor, today announced that tablet presses will be a prohibited import from 1 March 2010.
“This is an important step in combating the manufacture of illicit drugs within Australia and the illegal profits being made by organised criminal groups,” Mr O’Connor said.
“Denying criminals access to this kind of equipment directly targets the criminal economy, which is one of the government’s key commitments under the Organised Crime Strategic Framework.”
Methamphetamine and ecstasy, which are manufactured with the use of these presses, are a serious problem in Australia and a large source of revenue for organised criminal groups.
Drug abuse is estimated to cost the Australian community $8 billion a year and the government is committed to working with state and territory governments to combat the illicit drug trade.
“This regulation complements existing domestic legislation and will help establish nationally consistent controls over equipment used to manufacture illicit drugs,” Minister O’Connor said.
Legitimate businesses will be able to import this equipment subject to controls, including a permit system.
“I made a commitment in June that regulations prohibiting the importation of tablet presses would be made by the end of 2009, so I’m pleased to announce that the Governor-General made this regulation on the 14th of this month,” the Minister added.
Tablet presses have been made a prohibited import under the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956 and the prohibited import control will commence on 1 March 2010.
Further details are available on the Attorney-General’s Department website: www.ag.gov.au/tabletpresses.
Contact: Brian Humphreys 0438 595 567
