Pill Testing

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (15:07): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question without notice to the Attorney-General on the topic of pill testing.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: Recently, the New South Wales government announced a second pill testing site at a music festival this year. The free and anonymous drug-checking service allowed festival goers to bring a small sample of substances to be analysed before consumption. New South Wales Health and the New South Wales police force have been working together to enable the trial, which I understand will run for 12 months and be independently evaluated. Up to 10 additional festivals will be included in this trial.

The New South Wales Minister for Health has said that this trial is about helping festival goers make more informed decisions about drug use, with the goal of reducing harm and saving lives. My question to the Attorney-General is: does the government acknowledge that drug-checking services reduce harm and save lives, and will the government commit to a trial here in South Australia, as other Labor governments across the country have done?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector, Special Minister of State) (15:08): I thank the honourable member for his question. I do acknowledge his passion in this area. He has brought this issue to the Legislative Council a number of times previously. I think in his question the honourable member mentioned the health department in New South Wales. Whilst this is a policy matter that sits within the area of the Minister for Health, I am able to let the honourable member know that we do not have a policy in relation to a trial for drug testing.