IMPORTATION OF TABLET PRESSES TO BE BANNED FROM 2010
20 November 2009
Minister for Home Affairs Brendan O’Connor today informed Police Ministers about changes to proposed tablet press importation controls to streamline the process for legitimate businesses.
The Minister was briefing the Ministerial Council for Police and Emergency Management – Police, about results of a public consultation on prohibiting the importation of tablet presses.
“The comments we received from industry were very supportive of the Government’s approach on this issue, and we are committed to establishing the import controls in early 2010,” the Minister for Home Affairs said.
“The Government is sensitive to the impact on legitimate importers and has amended the proposed process from requiring a permit for each importation, to establishing an approved importer register.
“The approved importer register will be a more efficient process for legitimate importers and Government. Once a company is registered as an approved importer, it can import tablet presses for a defined period of time subject to conditions set out on the approval.”
Controls over the importation of tablet presses will be another tool to help law enforcement organisations curtail the supply of illicit drugs in Australia.
Mr O’Connor emphasised the importance of continuing efforts to reduce the capability of organised criminal groups to manufacture illicit drugs.
“The feedback received from the broad consultation process conducted in October reflected the shared concern of industry and Government with the diversion of tablet presses for illicit drug manufacture.”
“The revised process will limit the import of tablet presses to companies which have demonstrated that they have a legitimate business need, while minimising the compliance costs by using a single stage application process,” Mr O’Connor said.
The Government will now finalise the legislative amendments underpinning the controls.
Media Contact: Brian Humphreys 0438 595 567
