CBD business operators ‘outraged that they are being kept in the dark until after the election’

Daniel Andrews is under fire for “hiding” the location of Melbourne’s second injecting room until after the November state election.

Victoria Police has not been spoken to over the controversial second CBD injecting room for more than a year despite claims from the state government a much anticipated report into the facility was delayed due to further consultation.

The state government has long blamed the delays of the report into injecting rooms on the pandemic, saying Ken Lay’s further work would involve “targeted engagement” with the community and key stakeholders including Ambulance Victoria and Victoria Police.

But the Herald Sun can reveal Mr Lay, whose report was meant to be finalised at the end of 2020, has not consulted with Victoria Police and police association secretary Wayne Gatt about a second facility since June last year.

The state government has stated it wants a second injecting room in Melbourne’s CBD but will not finalise a location until after the state election in November.

Victoria Police has not been consulted on the injecting room report since last year. Picture: Jason Edwards

In the past year, traders in the CBD have said they are “very concerned” about the issue of injecting rooms, saying they demanded answers from the state government on the location of the second facility.

Opposition mental health spokeswoman Emma Kealy has slammed the report’s delay, saying Victorians were sick of the “endless excuses” by the state government.

“The Andrews Labor Government is hiding Mr Lay‘s CBD injecting room report until after the election,” Ms Kealy said.

Daniel Andrews is accused of making ‘endless excuses’ in delaying the releases of the injecting room report. Picture: Mark Stewart

“Daniel Andrews’ excuse of waiting for Ken Lay’s report has lost all integrity and business operators are outraged that they are being kept in the dark until after the election.”

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said police had consultation with Ken Lay and his working group from late 2020 until mid 2021.

“Follow up information was sent to the working group towards the end of 2021,” she said.

“Any decision around health intervention or the location of the Medically Supervised Injecting Room (MSIR) is a matter for State Government.”

The spokeswoman said Victoria Police was not involved in the decision making process and had only been consulted from a public safety point of view.

“Throughout the consultation period our position on public safety has been clear and consistent.

“Victoria Police looks forward to the release of the report and the final recommendations.”

A Department of Health spokeswoman said the consultation process would continue to ensure the final report is informed by the latest insights.

“With around one person a month dying from heroin overdose in the City of Melbourne, there is a real and growing need for a health service that can address and prevent drug harms in the CBD,” she said.

“A second supervised injecting service will save lives and change lives.”

Ambulance Victoria refused to comment.

Originally published as CBD business operators ‘outraged that they are being kept in the dark until after the election’