An Australian politician says the cane might be effective deter people who produce and sell the drug crystal methamphetamine (crystal meth or ice).

Federal member for the northern Queensland seat of Dawson, George Christensen, has held up Singapore’s corporal punishment policy as a potential model for Australia to deter ice producers and traffickers.

“If we keep on slapping people on the wrist we’re going to get the same outcomes,” Mr Christensen said in a statement on his website.

“It’s time to do things differently, and I suggest we take a look at how they address the problem in Singapore.

“Their use of corporal punishment seems to be a highly effective deterrent."

Time to up the ante on drug ice dealers. Caning as penalty & deterrent may work as it does in Singapore. http://t.co/EucUgfA2KM — George Christensen (@GChristensenMP) July 10, 2015

Mr Christensen said he had asked the head of Australia’s National Ice Taskforce, Ken Lay, to “conduct research on Singapore’s use of corporal punishment”.

SBS has contacted the taskforce to ask Mr Lay if corporal punishment was a good idea and if it was possible in Australia.

The model that Mr Christensen holds in high regard has come under criticism recently, after two German men were convicted of vandalism and trespass in Singapore.

The punishment of jail time and three strokes of cane has been labelled torture by Human Rights Watch.