Let’s legalise drugs: Andrew Patterson

Sex Party candidate, Andrew Patterson, is a former vice squad detective sergeant in Western Australia and chief investigator for the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).

He said he is contesting the seat to stand up for the issues he believes in, including drug law reform, anti-corruption and civil liberties.

Mr Patterson has called for more socially progressive policies including his push for drug law reform.

“I’ve always held the view that personal use of drugs should be a health issue,” he told reporters last week.

“We are creating criminals unnecessarily for people who choose to use drugs and we’re creating a whole level of crime, both in terms of crimes that are committed to feed drug habits and crime created by the commercial supply of it.”

On a local level he is campaigning for renewal of the transport system and increasing open spaces.

He said there needs to be “one transport agency” to coordinate all types of transport out of the CBD.

“There has to be some better balance with public transport through the city,” he said.

“We need transit corridors through the city to try and clear some of the congestion.”

Mr Patterson spoke of the need to increase open spaces for people to enjoy.

“There’s less and less greenery around,” he said.

“If I had my way with Barangaroo, I’d just turn it into one big park. I’d turn it into a second botanic gardens.”