Reason coalition deputy leader Ali Cupper has been called on to condemn comments made by her coalition leader, Fiona Patten, in Melbourne this week that slammed police for doing their job keeping communities safe.
Ms Patten made the comments on Wednesday in State Parliament, during a bizarre contribution lamenting being unable to attend a cannabis festival on New South Wales’ far north coast.
The Reason Party leader slammed police for conducting random drug tests on festival attendees, labelling it “yet again another massive overreach” by authorities.
Shadow Minister for Mental Health and The Nationals’ Member for Lowan Emma Kealy said the commentary again paints a concerning picture of just how out-of-touch the Melbourne ‘Reason’ Party has strayed.
“Addiction is destroying lives and tearing families apart, but Ali Cupper is silent while her Reason coalition leader slaps down police for carrying out enforcement action against illegal drugs,” Ms Kealy said.
“The Mildura community is crying out for action to help local people get off drugs and get their lives back on track, including with local residential rehabilitation facilities.
“Too many individuals and their families in Mildura still face the harrowing reality of drug addiction, with rates of suicide and family violence, and drug and alcohol abuse remaining far too high in the local region.
“Waitlists are getting worse, not better, under the Andrews Labor Government, with people who are seeking help now waiting more than a year to get access to the treatment they urgently want and need.
“What does Ali cupper stand for?
“It’s yet another example of the Reason Party’s hypocritical, radical policy agenda straying into dangerous territory, this time it’s against our police – who are just trying to do their job keeping our community safe.”