The cessation of funding for the Alcohol and other Drugs Council of Australia and the dissolution of the Council of Australian Governments left the AOD sector without a coordinated voice in national policy. Commonwealth funding plays an increasing role in the AOD treatment sector and individual states and territories are currently going it alone on drug law reforms, risking further national fragmentation. As such, a national voice is increasingly needed to drive holistic responses and ensure that wellbeing outcomes for people who use alcohol and other drugs are not dependent on geography.
This presentation explores the new Australian Alcohol and other Drugs Council’s national coordination role through a case study of submission to a national inquiry into law enforcement in illicit drug responses. It steps through the process of coordination, engagement infrastructure, submission outcomes and the opportunities ahead.
Presenters
James Dunne, Policy and Projects Coordinator, Australian Alcohol and other Drugs Council
James is the Policy and Projects Coordinator at the Australian Alcohol and other Drugs Council. James has extensive experience working in policy and research roles across government, non-government organisations and universities in Australia and Hong Kong, including with AIVL and the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society.