MPs move to step aside from politics in drugs debate

The focus needs to be on social and health programs, not criminal charges for users ... Liberal MP Mal Washer. Photo: Chris Lane

DECRIMINALISING illegal drugs will be investigated by the peak independent policy adviser under a plan championed by a trio of federal MPs from different sides of Parliament, with the aim of taking politics out of the debate.

In April, a report from the Australia21 think tank argued the ''war on drugs'' and tough stance on illegal substances had failed, sparking debate and increasing support for decriminalising personal use from a swathe of eminent figures, including former police commissioners, state premiers and health ministers.

The Liberal MP Mal Washer, the Greens senator Richard Di Natale, both doctors, and the independent MP Rob Oakeshott will this morning call on the government to ask the Productivity Commission to investigate the adequacy of illegal drug laws.

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''The reason for the Productivity Commission is to take the politics out of it and base it on evidence - which is dispassionate and hard-nosed. I've lost count of how many MPs have told me privately we have to change the approach to drugs, but won't speak out,'' Senator Di Natale told the Herald.

It was unclear which MP would move a motion but Dr Washer said he would ideally like a government MP to do so to ensure the best chance of success.

Dr Washer said the focus needed to be on social and health programs, not criminal charges for users.

''Most of the doctors I know say that the evidence is there across the world for the change. We just need to get governments to have their own commissions to say that is right.''

The Labor MP Andrew Leigh has previously said that in relation to drugs ''facts and evidence - not ideology and dogma - are the Australian way'' and is understood to have spoken to the group in the past about a Productivity Commission push. However, he does not have the backing of the caucus.

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MPs move to step aside from politics in drugs debate