Instead, more money needs to be invested in both education and rehabilitation, the Nationals MP said.

His comments come as the state Labor government yesterday announced its plans to tackle ice including: $15 million for new drug buses, $500,000 for community action groups, a 16-member taskforce to develop an action plan by March, and new offences and harsher penalties for those caught making or dealing the drug.

Four new offences will be introduced in a bid to curb criminal behaviour; and trafficking ice to school students, publishing instructions on how to manufacture ice, and allowing premises to be used for manufacturing or trafficking the drug will carry penalties of up to 25 years.

Mr McCurdy, who was part of the previous government’s committee for its parliamentary inquiry into ice, criticised the plan as “a far cry” from what had been recommended.

“What we found is that we can’t arrest our way out of this dilemma we’re in,” he said.

“The way we’re going to solve the ice problem is demand reduction, and that’s educating people not to use it and how to stay off it.

“Of course we want to lock up those who are trafficking but the one thing we really need is money into those grassroots programs ... so communities can come up with a plan that suits them.”

Mr McCurdy said $500,000 for such programs across Victoria would not go very far —the Coalition was offering grants of up to $100,000 for communities to create action groups from a $2 million fund.

He said rehabilitation services also needed more funding.

Labor had outlined its ice plan during the November election, during which the Coalition promised almost identical tougher penalties.

Neither party had pledged new funding for treatment, however prior to caretaker mode, the Coalition had confirmed $38 million in funding for treatment services and withdrawal beds, with $16.9 million going to regional areas. Hume was to receive $6.9 million.

Premier Daniel Andrews said his government would fund a tough, measured program to tackle the drug.

Reducing ice-related crimes and ice-fuelled violence will be the priority, but the 16-member taskforce will also develop ways to support family members, particularly children, of ice users.

Police Minister Wade Noonan said the government’s response to the drug would go beyond law and order.

“It’s about balance: tougher penalties to lock up those who make this fatal drug and smarter ways to support the victims and their loved ones so they get a second chance at life,” Mr Noonan said.