LEGISLATION to mandate the supply of so-called “non-sniffable petrol” across the entire central desert area of Australia, including Alice Springs, will be introduced to parliament by the Greens.

“The plan to introduce this non-sniffable petrol has been developed by the local Aboriginal communities, which have been devastated by this phenomenon.

Prime Minister John Howard, who announced $1million of funding in 2001 to combat petrol sniffing — following a series of articles inThe Australian — said last week that Aboriginal communities had to take on as much responsibility to end sniffing as governments.

LEGISLATION to mandate the supply of so-called “non-sniffable petrol” across the entire central desert area of Australia, including Alice Springs, will be introduced to parliament by the Greens.

Existing government policy forces the sale of non-sniffable petrol, usually BP’s Opal brand, only in remote Aboriginal communities.

But Greens leader Bob Brown said this was not enough to stop the scourge of petrol sniffing among indigenous Australians.

There are an estimated 700 sniffers across the region.

“For only $10million per annum, the non-sniffable petrol could be put through the entire region,” Senator Brown said yesterday.

“The plan to introduce this non-sniffable petrol has been developed by the local Aboriginal communities, which have been devastated by this phenomenon.

“There is enormous goodwill amongst the locals to introduce such a scheme, but it requires a small government subsidy.”

Senator Brown said his legislation, which he planned to introduce during the current sitting of parliament, would ensure that only non- sniffable petrol was available in the region’s major town centres.

“Ten million dollars is only 1per cent of the extra billion- dollar windfall the Howard Government is raking off higher petrol prices,” he said.

Senator Brown toured inland Australia last month inspecting petrol sniffing in remote communities.

A coronial inquest held in the Northern Territory last week into the deaths of three Aboriginal petrol sniffers heard horrific stories of individuals and families devastated by the problem.

Coroner Greg Cavanagh travelled to Mutitjulu but adjourned proceedings after being confronted by the sight of the son of a woman who was giving evidence sniffing petrol.

Prime Minister John Howard, who announced $1million of funding in 2001 to combat petrol sniffing — following a series of articles inThe Australian — said last week that Aboriginal communities had to take on as much responsibility to end sniffing as governments.

Senator Brown called on Mr Howard to visit central Australia and to view for himself the ongoing problem.

He said that Opal petrol, unlike previous unsniffable fuel, had no negative effects on car engines and could not be rendered sniffable by additives.

“John Howard should visit central Australia to see first-hand the settlements which are so afflicted by this disaster and see for himself how this plan could be implemented,” he said.

“If this was happening in Sydney or Melbourne there would be national outrage.”