Queensland Government department blocks stakeholders from pill testing review

A Queensland Government department has sensationally blocked key stakeholders from viewing a review into the state’s pill testing services, which cost taxpayers almost half a million dollars.

A Queensland Government department has sensationally blocked key stakeholders from viewing a review into the state’s pill testing services, which cost taxpayers almost half a million dollars.

A Queensland Government department has sensationally blocked key stakeholders from viewing a review into the state’s pill testing services, which cost taxpayers almost half a million dollars.

It can be revealed that the state’s peak body for the alcohol and drugs sector attempted to obtain the interim report through a freedom of information request in March but was denied on the grounds of “cabinet confidence”.

When the former Labor government introduced pill testing services last year, the Department of Health also engaged the University of Queensland’s Institute for Social Science Research to conduct an evaluation of the services and develop a statewide monitoring framework for pill testing.

A Queensland Government department has sensationally blocked key stakeholders from viewing a review into the state’s pill testing services, which cost taxpayers almost half a million dollars.

Queensland Network of Alcohol and Other Drugs Agencies (QNADA) Chief Executive Officer Rebecca Lang said they were forced to use freedom of information laws after being denied access to what was the first look into the evaluation.

“It was a shock to be asked to submit a right to information request, but we did. It is even more unusual for that to be denied and the evaluation labelled as cabinet in confidence, and we will be appealing that decision to the Office of the Information Commissioner,” Ms Lang said.

“Queenslanders are entitled to know what the evaluation found, in terms of the reach and effectiveness of the service, as well as the types of substances presented for testing and the experiences of people accessing the service.”

The Courier-Mail also sent inquiries about the review in April, including the parameters and conclusions, but the request was rejected by UQ.

A final report is expected to be completed at the end of the month.

Queensland Health confirmed the commissioned evaluation cost $412,079.

A spokesman for the department denied they were withholding the interim report and stated that, along with the final report, it is captured as Cabinet documents.

In April, the LNP government shut down two pill testing sites despite calls from the state’s top doctors and drug experts.

A landmark Review of Culture and Accountability in the Queensland Public Sector, commonly known as the Coaldrake Review, recommended that Cabinet release documents relating to policy submissions and decisions within 30 days.

However, publication may be delayed beyond 30 business days where there is “reasonable justification for delay”.

Originally published as Queensland Government department blocks stakeholders from pill testing review