Labor says it will consider support for Tasmanian pill testing

Pill testing will be on the agenda at State Parliament this week and Labor says it’s considering support for an Upper House move to support it.

LABOR says it will consider backing an Upper House motion in favour of pill testing at Tasmanian music festivals.

State Parliament resumes tomorrow after the winter recess.

Murchison independent MLC Ruth Forrest is expected to move a motion aimed at minimising the harms associated with drug use at Tasmanian festivals.

The motion acknowledges that pill testing is an evidence-based health service that reduces the risk of illicit-drug harm at music festivals and events.

It also calls on the Government to begin the necessary steps to explore a trial of pill testing during the 2019-20 summer festival season.

Premier Will Hodgman last week said he believed there was no safe way to take drugs — but he said he would listen to expert advice on pill testing.

“Certainly the advice that we’ve received and I’ve received is there’s no safe way of taking illicit drugs, and that trialling that isn’t a safe thing for Tasmanians,” he said.

But Ms Forrest said the Government was being narrow-minded.

“It’s disappointing the Government seems to be taking a limited view on pill testing — yes they’ve said they are taking advice, but often that’s an excuse not to do anything and I think that is unacceptable,” she said.

“One festival drug-related death is too many.

Labor Presser Alison Standen. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

“We legislate harm minimisation for road safety, so I think it’s time we looked at it in other areas like pill testing.”

It comes after the Hobart City Council this month voted to support pill testing at Hobart events.

Labor’s Alison Standen yesterday said the Opposition would approach the issue with an open mind.

“We support evidence-based harm-minimisation strategies to reduce the impact of illicit drugs on the community,” she said.

When asked why Labor previously hasn’t supported pill testing in Tasmania, Ms Standen said “that’s because the motion previously tabled in Parliament last year, was a political stunt by the Greens to rush a Bill that was ill-considered and we were concerned it wasn’t properly consulted and evidence-based”.

“We’ll wait and see the motion and look at it on its merits.”

Leader of Government Business in the House of Assembly Michael Ferguson said the Government would bring forward a Magistrates Bill to Parliament this week allowing new procedures, standards, and powers designed to make the court more efficient.