Former top cop Ken Lay to help set up new supervised injecting room
Former Victoria Police chief commissioner Ken Lay will join health and drug reform experts to lead the delivery of Melbourne’s second supervised injecting room.
VIC News
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Former police commissioner Ken Lay has been appointed to help deliver Melbourne’s controversial second supervised injecting room.
Mr Lay will lead the project to deliver the facility which is set to be set up across the road from Melbourne’s iconic tourist site the Queen Victoria Market.
The City of Melbourne is understood to be lobbying to change the site because of concerns of the impact the facility would have on the area.
The State Government has flagged it would consider an alternative site if it met the criteria set out by the independent review panel that recommended the second facility.
Mr Lay will work with health and drug reform experts, analyse data and evidence on drug harms within the City of Melbourne, and oversee a public community engagement process.
This will include seeking the views of all interested parties on the Government’s preferred site.
He will report to the government by the end of the year.
Minister for Mental Health Martin Foley said the government would continue to be guided by health experts about the appropriate site for the supervised injecting room.
“We’re pleased to have someone of Ken’s calibre lead this process, his vast experience across a range of areas means he’ll be able to listen, collaborate and provide the well-rounded expert advice needed for this life saving facility,” he said.
Mr Lay stepped down as chair of the state’s bushfire recovery agency last week.
He has flagged an interest to resume roles he formerly held as chair of Ambulance Victoria and Victorian Lieutenant Governor.
He had been forced to resign from those positions to take the Bushfire Recovery Victoria role.
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