Push for next pill testing trial to be in Queensland
After a second pilot at a music festival in Canberra was hailed as a major success, experts including a former federal police commissioner will lobby the Palaszczuk Government for the next pill testing trial to be held in Queensland.
QLD Politics
Don't miss out on the headlines from QLD Politics. Followed categories will be added to My News.
QUEENSLAND could host Australia’s next controversial pill testing trial, with experts including a former federal police commissioner to lobby the State Government today.
The push follows two trials in Canberra, including one at the weekend, which have been heralded as major successes.
Drug deaths at music festivals reignites debate on pill testing
Pills putting too many lives at risk: The arguments for and against pill testing
Tributes flow for Ebony Greening and Dassarn Tarbutt who died at the Rabbits Eat Lettuce festival
Identity of two found dead at Rabbits Eat Lettuce festival revealed
Rabbits Eat Lettuce festival deaths referenced in ecstasy court case
Drugs investigation after death of young Sunshine Coast couple at Rabbits Eat Lettuce Festival
Pill Testing Australia (PTA) ambassador Matt Noffs and former federal police commissioner Mick Palmer are scheduled to meet with MP Aaron Harper and other health officials in Brisbane on Tuesday.
Mr Noffs, who is also the campaign spokesman for Take Control, which partners with PTA, said he was confident Queensland would be home to the next trial.
“Queensland doesn’t need to take a leap of faith, we’ve had two pilots,” he said.
More than 230 people used the second trial, which was hosted by PTA at music festival Groovin the Moo on Sunday.
Of those tested, seven were found to be carrying the dangerous substance n-ethylpentylone with each person choosing to throw away the drugs.
Health warnings were given to every festival-goer who used the service.
Mr Harper yesterday praised the trial and said the Government was waiting for the results.
Mr Noffs said if Queensland was to trial it, a doctor would need to be in the tent, it would need to be kept at arm’s length from government and it should be free for taxpayers.
A Queensland Health spokesman said it would consider the findings from two pill testing trials in relation to the use of pill testing as a harm reduction strategy.
$135m health bungle: Minister’s apology to affected businesses
Health Minister Steven Miles has apologised to businesses that have suffered delays because of the new Queensland Health payment system.
Hundreds of staff underpaid at Queensland utility
A Queensland Government-owned utility corporation has underpaid hundreds of its senior staff for more than a decade in a bungle that could have ripped off up to a quarter of its workforce.