Rosalie Woodruff MP | Greens Health spokesperson
The Greens are disappointed Labor has put politics above keeping young people safe in their decision not to support the Misuse of Drugs Amendment (Drug Analysis) Bill 2018.
Pill testing has been Labor Party policy for two years, but they have gone weak at the knees when the opportunity arrived to make it happen.
Instead of putting the safety of young people foremost, it seems Labor is only thinking of distancing itself from the Greens.
Pill testing can save lives, it’s that simple. It reduces the number of drugs consumed, and helps more kids get home safe from festivals.
Labor’s claim the Greens’ Bill is poorly drafted has no credibility. This bill has had extensive consultation with drug treatment and legal experts, and has been supported by all stakeholders including the Australian Lawyers Alliance.
We are surprised and disappointed, on behalf of the majority of Tasmanians who support harm minimisation, that Labor did not even take the opportunity of taking up our offer for a briefing on the Bill.
The Greens will not dismiss an approach we now know will make the lives of young people safer. We will proceed to debate the Misuse of Drugs Amendment (Drug Analysis) Bill 2018 this week.
The parents of young Tasmanians heading off to festivals this summer deserve to hear the strength of the case for reform, and Labor’s poorly formed excuses for not supporting our bill.