Liberals question Labor’s ‘secret’ drug summit

It has 450 participants but you won’t hear what they have to say, and the NSW Liberals aren’t happy, questioning Chris Minns’ “secret”, long-promised drug summit.

The long-awaited Minns government drug summit begins this week, but don’t expect to hear the evidence from the 450 participants – the event is being held behind closed doors.

Instead, a UN-style “communique” will be released to the public and media by the two summit co-chairs – former Labor minister Carmel Tebbutt and ex-Liberal leader John Brogden.

The government argues the closed sessions are designed to ensure people with experience of addiction are given a “safe space” to share information, and claims many would not have participated if they were to give evidence in public.

However, the testimonies of the other participants will also be kept behind closed doors, prompting criticism from the Coalition.

Opposition health spokeswoman Kellie Sloane claimed a stakeholder had described it as: “The summit you have when you don’t want to hold a drug summit”.

NSW Drug Summit was an election commitment of Premier Chris Minn Photo Jeremy Piper

“It’s important the drug summit is a safe and inclusive environment for people to talk freely about their experiences without the pressure of public glare,” she said.

“However, the concern I am hearing from stakeholders and health advocates is that this is a summit being held in the dark, that has been marked by a lack of transparency and poor consultation.

Pill-testing at music festival is expected to be discussed at the NSW Drug Summit Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

“No one seems to know what the agenda is, let alone a guest list. One stakeholder said to me that this is the drug summit you have when you don’t want to have a drug summit.”

A key Labor election commitment, the summit’s themes will include health and wellbeing; safety and justice, which may lead to discussions about decriminalisation; keeping young people safe – a topic that could cover pill-testing at music festivals; and integrated care and social support.

The first session will be held in Griffith on Friday with Health Minister Ryan Park to give a public opening speech, followed by Ms Tebbutt and Mr Brogden.

The summit will then move into a closed forum for a panel discussion, which will include the participation of a person with lived experience, followed by smaller group sessions to talk about the themes.

An oxycodone pill brought into a Canberra drug testing centre was found to be a deadly opioid that was bought on the dark web.

More than 300 participants will be invited to the Sydney sessions, with 150 to take part in the two regional summits, which also include Lismore.

Liberal leader Mark Speakman also questioned why the entire summit was being held behind closed doors.

“While it may be appropriate to allow those with lived experience to participate in closed sessions, the government apparently intends that this also applies to experts, frontline workers and other stakeholders,” he said.

“There is no justification for this.”

However, Mr Park said it was the wishes of those with addiction that had requested the forum be held in a private.

Police with a sniffer dog at Laneway Festival, Sydney Olympic Park. Picture: Damian Shaw

“People with lived experiences of addiction have told us that opening this forum would put them in an impossible position and they would find it difficult to participate fully and freely,” he said.

“Ensuring participants with lived experience of addiction are given a space to share their perspectives in a safe environment is one of my top priorities for this summit.

“The deliberations will be communicated to the community in a way that maintains the confidence of people who have shared their experiences.”

A final report from the chair’s is likely to be finalised early next year.

Following the story in The Daily Telegraph, Health Minister Ryan Park moved to open parts of the summit to the media.

“I recognise the significant community interest in this summit,” he said.

“In light of this, we will open additional parts of the summit to the media while still taking appropriate steps to protect the anonymity of people with lived experience.”

Originally published as Liberals question Labor’s ‘secret’ drug summit