Acting Premier vows to ban Queensland pill testing service saved by philanthropist
Queensland's acting Premier has vowed to outlaw pill testing after the state's only drug checking service secured private funding to reopen following government cuts.
Acting Premier Jarrod Bleijie has sensationally threatened to legislate to ban pill testing after Queensland’s sole drug checking service secured private funding to reopen its doors, saying the LNP government refused to help “peddle drug dealers”.
Cheqpoint, which previously operated in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, was forced to close earlier this year after the incoming Crisafulli government cut its funding.
Operators warned the closures increased the risk of preventable overdoses amid rising opioid deaths.
The service was set to reopen on Friday after New South Wales philanthropist Tanya Nelson Carnegie made a significant donation through her charitable trust, the Vasudhara Foundation.
But Mr Bleijie on Saturday declared the LNP would move to change laws if Cheqpoint relaunched on September 5 as planned.
“If people are proceeding with privately funded pill testing, then the government will take whatever action is necessary through regulation or legislation to ensure that there are no privately funded pill testing centers open in Queensland,” he said.
“We do not tolerate it. We will not allow it, and we will legislate or regulate against those private providers.
“By providing or allowing people to take illicit drugs in Queensland, is peddling drug dealers and supporting drug dealers that make money in the state.”
Mr Bleijie then directly requested Cheqpoint not reopen.
“It’s now in their court not to reopen, as they have indicated they will be, because if they do reopen, then the government will have to legislate or regulate against the providers to ensure this does not happen,” he said.
“The government will do whatever is necessary to enforce our position and our election commitment on this matter.”
Cheqpoint bankroller Tanya Carnegie has overseen multiple charities and holds 20 years’ experience in the investment and banking industry.
The Loop Australia chief executive Cameron Francis said her donation would allow the service to operate in Brisbane until April 2026.
“Tanya supported us back in our early days,” he said.
“As a mum, she has kids and doesn’t want others to go through or endure the loss of a child to overdose.
“When she heard in the media that the service was closing and really stepped in to help.”
The service plans to resume its usual operating hours, providing confidential drug testing and advice to reduce harm on Fridays between 2pm and 6pm.
Mr Francis said the service would continue to pursue private sector help to keep its doors open, with talks already underway with other philanthropists and organisations to secure long-term funding.
“Every week we were closed, we were pretty devastated for what that would mean,” he said.
“People kept coming and to think those we were turning away could go into overdose, was really upsetting.
“We think there’s a lot of support out there for drug checking in the community and we’ll need to tap into that support in the figure to keep the doors open.”
The LNPs anti-pill testing stance contradicts the position of police.
A Queensland Police Service spokesman said officers have a role to play in “making sure drug checking was available for all members of the community as a health service”.
“Drug checking services do not impact normal policing activity, and both can operate in parallel to keep the community safe,” he said.
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Originally published as Acting Premier vows to ban Queensland pill testing service saved by philanthropist
