Premier open to advice on pill tests

THE Premier says he is open to receiving advice on trialling pill testing in Tasmania in an apparent softening of his government’s stance on the issue.

Will Hodgman yesterday emphasised 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) we will always be informed as a government when we determine public policy positions what’s in the state’s interest, what is going to protect people and their safety, and we would welcome any advice from agencies and any other bodies in respect to these matters.”

Mr Hodgman spoke after Tasmania Police Commissioner Darren Hine said the force did not support the consumption of illicit drugs but was “happy” to discuss pill testing with festival organisers.

“Pill testing doesn’t make drugs safe and doesn’t make them legal,” Commissioner Hine said.

“If festival organisers wish to conduct pill testing we are happy to discuss the issue with them, but to be clear we do not support testing of illegal drugs.”

Mr Hodgman’s comments yesterday appeared in contrast to those of former health and police minister Michael Ferguson, who last month said he had not sought advice on pill testing from health bureaucrats because he “did not need it”.

The Bass Liberal MHA told a budget estimates hearing: “I don’t need to ask for advice when I’ve actually informed myself on those matters.”

The Liberals voted with Labor last year to defeat Greens legislation that would have created a framework for pill testing in Tasmania.