Hobart City Council to vote of whether to endorse pill testing at major events and festivals

A Tasmanian council is set to vote on whether it will become the first government authority in Tasmania to endorse pill testing at major events and festivals.

HOBART City Council will vote tonight on whether they will become the first government authority in Tasmania to endorse pill testing at major events and festivals.

Council sources say it appears likely the motion to provide in-principle support for drug analysis services at events in its municipality will be successful.

The motion — raised by Cr Holly Ewin — will also seek to call on the State Government to facilitate a pill testing trial in Tasmania once the findings in a current coronial inquest into six music festival deaths in New South Wales are released.

Hobart City Council councillor Holly Ewin. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

Cr Ewin said it was a smart thing do and was evidence-based policy.

Cr Ewin said pill testing was a health issue and was confident the motion had the numbers to pass council.

But some colleagues have raised concerns there is no point considering the matter as it is a State Government area — which has indicated its stance hasn’t changed.

“There is no safe use of any illicit drug and it’s reckless to suggest otherwise,” a spokesman said when the motion passed council’s community, culture and events committee unanimously 12 days ago.

Pill testing has the support of the Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs Council Tasmania.

A poll of 900 Mercury online readers showed 57 per cent support for pill testing at festivals in Tasmania.