Richmond injecting room PR firm criticised for Labor donation

The PR firm that represents the controversial safe injecting room has sparked criticism for donating $2000 to Victorian Labor.

A public relations company that provides media comment on behalf of the North Richmond injecting room has made a political donation to the Labor Party.

The Herald Sun can reveal Michelson Alexander, who provides media commentary on behalf of the controversial North Richmond Community Health (NRCH) facility, made a political donation of almost $2000 to the Victorian branch of the Australian Labor Party in August.

When the Herald Sun asked Michelson Alexander if they deemed the donation as a “conflict of interest” due to their involvement with the injecting room, a company spokesman said the contribution was “entirely unrelated” to its work with the injecting room.

“We adhere to electoral commission guidelines and donation laws at all times,” he said. “Michelson Alexander is proud to support the work of North Richmond Community Health.”

A drug user overdosing near Richmond's controversial injecting room.

But North Richmond residents and politicians say the company’s political donation was “inappropriate” and showed a clear conflict of interest.

North Richmond resident Sharon Neven, who has lived in the area for more than 20 years, said she was “furious” at the company’s donation.

“This is a clear conflict of interest and a donation to the Labor Party seems to be an admission that they support them and their endeavours,” Ms Neven said.

Another resident, who has lived in North Richmond for more than 10 years, also said the donation was a “conflict of interest”.

“I just don’t think it’s right because they are the spokespeople for North Richmond Community Health and I really question why they haven’t given donations to another party,” she said.

“I do think this is a conflict of interest and it does anger me given all the issues we’ve experienced as a result of the injecting room.”

A man openly injects drugs into his leg in a thoroughfare alley near the North Richmond injecting room. Picture: Jason Edwards

Opposition Mental Health spokeswoman Emma Kealy said: “The company providing media comment on behalf of North Richmond Community Health should not be seen as politically aligned with any party as the injecting room is such a divisive community issue.”

A state government spokesman said: “This is a matter for Michelson Alexander.”

“We expect everyone to adhere to electoral commission guidelines and donation laws at all times,” he said.

“We established the MSIR to save lives and change lives. Since opening it has saved at least 44 lives and safely managed more than 5900.”

In the past year, the Herald Sun has reported a spate of shocking incidents near North Richmond’s injecting room including a man being found dead near the school last year, forcing the school authorities to direct students and parents away from a main entrance.