FEDERAL Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce said has welcomed the launch of a new million dollar partnership between the Coalition Government and Crime Stoppers Australia to establish a national Dob in a Dealer campaign. 

The Commonwealth Government is providing $1 million to fund the national Dob in a Dealer campaign to raise awareness of methamphetamine, or ice, and encourage local communities to contact Crime Stoppers to help tackle the issue of manufacturing and distribution in their local area.

Mr Joyce said crimes relating to ice continue to be a concern for local police in the New Engladn Electorate, with strong links between those who commit drug offences and those committing other violent crimes.

“Drugs such as ice can have devastating consequences for entire communities, and putting a stop to it will require a whole of community response. Police can’t do it alone,” he said.

“This is a vital campaign in Australia’s fight against ice, but its level of success will be reliant on the local intelligence Crime Stoppers receives.

“I urge all New England Electorate residents to say enough is enough and to rid our streets, parks and neighbourhoods of criminals profiteering from the misery of ice, by undermining any criminal business models operating in our local area.”

Minister for Justice, Michael Keenan said the National Ice Taskforce Final Report, delivered in December, identified that the most important strategies to protect Australia from this devastating drug – and the violence it causes – is to disrupt supply and reduce demand.

“We’ve made significant investment in policing our borders and our streets and committed an additional $300 million over four years to improve treatment, after care, education, prevention, support and community engagement,” Mr Keenan said.

“While it is critical that these efforts continue, targeted Dob in a Dealer campaigns will help ensure our communities are no longer the end-game for international drug kingpins.