Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta has welcomed the Coalition Government’s announcement that $1 million in funding would be made available to Crime Stoppers to roll out a national ‘Dob in a Dealer’ campaign to help combat Australia’s ice scourge.

Mr Vasta said the national campaign asks community members to report people who are dealing illegal drugs as part of a national initiative to crack down on the supply of ice at our borders and in our communities.

He said the campaign would be modelled on a similar Crime Stoppers initiative in Victoria which resulted in information increases of 100 per cent to 400 per cent across its 15 regional campaign sites.

“The fight against ice can only be effective when the community and law enforcement agencies work together,” Mr Vasta said.

“Information from the public plays an essential role in helping police and other agencies to bust drug manufacturers and prevent illegal drugs from ending up on our streets.”

Mr Vasta said he was concerned about the growing impact of ice on the community and that he was working with local authorities and experts on measures to stop the spread of the drug.

“I have met with Wynnum Police and ice taskforce experts Senior Sergeant Mark Norrish and Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Austin to discuss our local situation and strategies to combat the ice epidemic,” Mr Vasta said.

“I will also be hosting Minister Keenan in Bonner for a forum to answer the community’s questions on ice and the Government’s measures to stop its spread.”

Minister Keenan said ice posed the highest risk of all illegal drugs to the community because of the violent, menacing and irrational way people behave under its influence.

“With more than 60 per cent of Australia’s most significant organised crime groups involved in the ice market and about 200,000 Australians reported to have used ice in the last 12 months, it is up to all of us – government, industry, law enforcement agencies, health workers, educators and the community – to work together to remove this ongoing threat to Australia,” Minister Keenan said.

The ‘Dob in a Dealer’ campaign will be rolled out in consultation with the states and territories but all instances of crime or suspicious behaviour can be reported to Crime Stoppers now on 1800 333 000.