If people can't control themselves with one substance,then they can't control themselves with anything. If they don't use petrol then they'll use something else

Hi Perseus

Thanks for your thoughtful contribution. I will certainly run this past the technical types who have been helping me with background for these pieces.

My suspicion is that many of the rust-buckets around the communities are not worth this kind of investment. However, I take your point that it's possible to transfer the equipment from one vehicle to another.

I'll find out more about it.

regards

Graham Ring

While gas conversion is a good idea there are two problems.

One there is a drastic shortage of qualified operators confronting an overwhelming demand for conversions in the wider community. Current waiting lists are 6 - 18 months for conversions in most capital cities. I've been thinking that we need to lobby State Governments to increase the training programs for operators. But even so, the kits are in short supply, and training takes time. And I'm just talking about the braoder community generally

Two, you have to get LPG fueling facilities into the remote communities . That means pressurized tanks costing $100,000's each and supplier chains etc. The cost of this infrastructure would far outstrip the cost of introducing Opal.

Please don't get me wrong Opal is a short term fix, gas conversion makes good long term sense. But consider that diesel(unsniffable) is already in widespread use in the bush. The point about Opal is that it is a form of petrol, and the presence of diesel hasn't limited the demand for petrol. Opal is a way of making petrol safer.

Anyone who has witnessed first hand the terrible devastation that sniffing causes to individuals, families and communities would not hesitate to say that $10m is cheap compared to the current cost in misery and damage

Every day we delay in helping people in need we have to mark as a failure. The government intends to spend $20 million on advertising how it wants to reduce the power of unions to look after employees' interests - before the bill is enacted! How can we push the government to spend half this amount - as Graham recommends - on caring for some very vulnerable citizens? And children, for heaven's sake! Isn't this supposed to be the family friendly government?

But first consult the women of the affected communities, as has been suggested. They will know what is best. Then, all outsiders must defer to their wishes, if any good is too be achieved.

Ya know, Kyangadack, you may have identified a field for all this training money that might actually lead to some long term sustainable jobs that address a real skills shortage in the wider community. It looks like jobs in Gas conversion will be with us for a while. Once done, cars can also use compressed natural gas with minor changes. Is it a hurdle or a stepping stone?