Greens leader Richard Di Natale says the 'war on drugs' has failed and announced radical new push to decriminalise recreational drugs.

The party has discarded its old position being opposed to the legalisation of illicit drugs, which they say 'has failed to stop illicit drugs use', The Age reports.

Party members voted to support the changes at their national conference in Perth on Saturday.

Greens leader Richard Di Natale (pictured) says the 'war on drugs' has failed and announces radical new push to decriminalise recreational drugs

The party's new approach will focus on the war on drugs being a health problem and 'not a law and order one'.

'We have to have an open, honest conversation about this and stop pretending we're winning this war – we're losing and losing fast,' Senator Di Natale told the Age.

Their new policy platform says: 'The legal framework for drugs and other substances used for non-medical purposes should be informed by evidence of the extent and nature of the harm likely to be caused.

'Education is a vital tool in reducing both harm from and demand for drugs, including legal drugs such as alcohol and tobacco.'

The radical new approach would see a new independent regulation authority in Australia assess and reduce the harm of drugs on a case-by-case basis.

This would likely result in the decriminalisation of drugs like cannabis.

But drugs like ice and heroin would not be legalised says Senator Di Natale.

More pill testing, medically supervised injecting facilities across the country and prison needle exchange programs are also part of their approach.

Senator Di Natale says Australia has to take the next step and 'to recognise that locking up people who use drugs is totally counter-productive'.

The party's new approach will focus on the war on drugs being a health problem and 'not a law and order one'