SUBMISSION

29 April 2026

Repeal of world-leading drug diversion laws’

The Crisafulli Government repealed Queensland’s world-leading drug diversion laws last week, in a move criticised by AMA Queensland as placing patients at risk. It is a decision that runs contrary to evidence and we will continue to advocate strongly for reinstatement of the program. Parliamentarians acknowledged AMA Queensland’s unwavering commitment to ensuring drug use is treated as a health issue rather than criminalised, with 41 direct mentions of our advocacy by 10 Queensland MPs during last week’s debate on the bill. Read our associated media release.

17 March 2026

AMA Queensland provided a submission to the committee inquiry into proposed laws that will repeal Queensland’s world-leading drug diversion program. We strongly opposed the bill as running contrary to evidence and science and called for urgent investment in mental health and alcohol and other drugs services.

Read our submission here

Read our Media Release here

Dear committee members

As discussed with the committee secretariat via phone this morning, AMA Queensland wishes to raise its concerns about the committee inquiry hearings, currently underway across the state.

AMA Queensland is specifically concerned about the committee’s decision not to invite peak health bodies who championed the drug diversion program to appear at the inquiry hearings. AMA Queensland, other health bodies and many alcohol and other drug agencies were not invited to appear as witnesses, despite having made written submissions to the inquiry and having appeared at previous, related inquiries on the drug diversion laws. We acknowledge and support QNADA’s appearance, however, the following are notable exclusions from those who made submission on the bill:

  • Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union
  • Queensland Mental Health Commission
  • Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council
  • Alcohol and Drug Foundation
  • QuIVAA
  • QuIHN
  • DrugARM

We also note the following respected legal organisations were not invited to appear at any of the hearings despite making submissions on the bill specifically regarding the repeal of laws supporting the drug diversion program:

  • Queensland Council for Civil Liberties
  • Legal Aid
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service
  • Queensland Family and Child Commission
  • Office of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Commissioner
  • Salvation Army
  • Sisters Inside

Drug use must be treated as a health issue so people can get the treatment they need. Criminalising patients is not backed by evidence and does not work. Ignoring the voices of doctors who treat patients in our hospitals and GP practices, and the broader sector who support these patients, will only result in laws that are not fit for purpose and do not serve our community. We urge the committee to operate transparently in selecting witnesses to appear at its hearings, including inviting those mentioned above. Further, we urge it and the government to reverse the ideological position taken in the bill and maintain the drug diversion program.

The committee acknowledges AMA Queensland’s concerns regarding witnesses who did not appear before the committee at one of its public hearings.

The committee held four public hearings for this inquiry – in Brisbane, Nambour, Maryborough and Townsville – and heard from a range of stakeholders about the different elements of the bill.

Please be assured that all evidence provided to a committee – whether that be a written submission and/or oral evidence provided at a public hearing is considered as part of the committee’s inquiry. The committee also publishes as much of its evidence as possible on the committee’s website.

The committee acknowledges the views of AMA Queensland and appreciates the submission made to the inquiry, which included a copy of the submission AMA Queensland made to the former Legal Affairs and Safety Committee’s inquiry into the Police Powers and Responsibilities and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023.

If AMA Queensland would like to provide any additional comments, it is welcome to submit a supplementary written submission for the committee’s consideration by Wednesday, 15 April 2026, noting the committee’s reporting deadline is Friday, 17 April 2026.

Thank you for engaging in the committee’s inquiry. If you have any questions, please get in touch with the secretariat on 3553 6641.