Upper House harpoons festival pill-testing trial

A MOTION in favour of considering pill testing at Tasmanian music festivals has failed.

The Legislative Council yesterday rejected the motion from independent member Ruth Forrest in favour of a trial this summer.

Ms Forrest said young people would continue to take illicit drugs and that prohibition had failed to reduce the harm, pointing to recent deaths at music festivals interstate.

The NSW Coroner is conducting an inquest into the deaths of several young patrons of music festivals in that state.

Ms Forrest said she was disappointed the motion was not supported by Labor members of the Legislative Council.

“It’s disappointing on a number of levels. It’s hard to understand why they can’t support a motion that is very pragmatic in its approach, that actually states the facts,” she said.

“I thought it was part of the Opposition’s job to hold the Government to account when we know that there is evidence to support the introduction and pill testing as part of a comprehensive drug policy.

“So it just makes no sense that they wouldn’t support a motion that’s worded in this way.

“We’ve got broad support from the key stakeholders and providers of some of the alcohol and drug services.

“Surely we shouldn’t have to wait for a young person to die in Tasmania before action is taken. Surely.”

Ms Forrest said a trial would have worked by testing and advising patrons of the possible risk of the taking contaminated drugs but all those presenting drugs for testing would be advised there was no safe way of taking illicit drugs.

Labor’s Alison Standen said the party was “watching developments interstate” to ensure an “evidence-based approach”.

“The reality is that it’s only the Tasmanian Government that’s in a position to take the leadership and implement a pill testing regime,” she said.

“The motion that was before the parliament would not compel the Government to take action.”

Greens health spokeswoman Rosalie Woodruff accused Labor of having “abandoned their party platform”.

“Ms Forrest’s motion was carefully worded to include the facts about pill testing and a call for the Government to investigate a trial,” she said.

“Voting against it confirms Labor have prioritised politics over evidence and the advice of medical professionals about how to save young lives.”

Health Minister Sarah Courtney said Labor was trying to walk “both sides of the street”.

“The Government does not support pill testing because we think it sends mixed and risky messages to our young people,” she said. “The Government is focused on making sure we’re investing into other strategies to be able to help Tasmanians with regards to drug and alcohol situations.

“We want to make sure that Tasmanians, particularly young Tasmanians, are safe.”