9. JUDY TURNER to the Minister of Justice: Does the Government intend to change the legal status of cannabis this parliamentary term, or to introduce legislation to change the current law to come into force next term? Hon PHIL GOFF (Minister of Justice): No. Judy Turner: Is the Minister aware of police reports that show that cannabis suppliers and users are branching out into methamphetamines; if so, will he categorically rule out the decriminalisation of cannabis since it is clearly a gateway drug? Hon PHIL GOFF: I can categorically rule out any legal change to the status of cannabis, and I can do so because that was part of the agreement for confidence and supply between the Labour - Progressive Coalition Government and the United Future parliamentary caucus. That states explicitly that the Government will not introduce legislation to change the legal status of cannabis and will implement a comprehensive drug strategy, etc. I can say, of course, in answer to the other part of the question, that we have moved strongly on the question of methamphetamine, both on the busting of labs and on reclassifying the drug to give greater search powers. Tim Barnett: What response will the Government be making to the report of the Health Committee on its inquiry into health strategies relating to cannabis use? Hon PHIL GOFF: The Health Committee, as I understand it, is currently considering an inquiry into health strategies relating to cannabis use. That committee has not yet reported, but when it does, the Government in the normal way will consider its recommendations carefully and decide what response it should make. As part of that process the Government will not be considering any change to the legal status of cannabis. Richard Worth: In the light of his answer to the primary question, is this a clear signal to the Green Party that it is no longer needed by the Labour Party during this parliamentary term, nor the next, because of the committed relationship that United Future and the present Government enjoy? Hon PHIL GOFF: No. Craig McNair: Does the written agreement between the Labour-Progressive Government and United Future, which gives the Government supply and confidence, stop any member of the Labour Government from bringing a member's bill to decriminalise the use of cannabis, or is that document, as we suspect, not worth the paper it is written on? Hon PHIL GOFF: The document relates to the Government. No party in this House, under the Standing Orders, as I understand it, can stop an individual member from bringing in a member's bill. Nandor Tanczos: What scope is there for the Government to address the very real concern that the current law is not working and that a fresh approach is needed, as expressed by the Hon Peter Dunne, on behalf of the United Future party, in his submission to the Health Committee inquiry into cannabis, in the light of the Government's commitment? Hon PHIL GOFF: I have no doubt this House and individuals within it will continue to search for ways in which to minimise the damage being done by drugs, including cannabis, and to try to find a solution so that the laws relating to drug use are observed by the wider population. One has to change the way people think, as well as simply change the legislation. Judy Turner: In the light of the Minister's answer to Mr McNair's question, has he considered what the Government's response to a member's bill for decriminalising cannabis would be, if such a bill were introduced to the House in this term, given the Government's decision to vote as a party on the smoke-free legislation? Hon PHIL GOFF: As I recall, all legislation relating to drugs and alcohol in this House, apart from things like classifying methamphetamine, has usually been a conscience vote.