The Andrews Government has made drug injecting rooms a permanent next-door neighbour to Victorian primary schools.
The Liberals and Nationals moved amendments to ban drug injecting rooms within 250 metres of a school or childcare centre and to introduce a suitability of premises requirement that mirrored New South Wales legislation.
Labor and the Greens rejected these amendments and arrogantly ignored common sense to pass flawed legislation that will allow injecting rooms to continue operating next door to schools and childcare centres.
The Liberals and Nationals also moved to require injecting rooms provide annual reports to the Parliament, as is required by any other health service, but Labor and the Greens rejected these amendments and voted to keep Victorians in the dark.
Shadow Minister for Mental Health, Emma Kealy, said that avoidable risks to children’s safety are now enshrined in Labor’s legislation.
“The Liberals and Nationals sought to strike a sensible balance, but the Andrews Labor Government refused to put children’s safety first.”
“Injecting rooms simply don’t belong next to schools.”
“Labor has ignored rising dangerous drug-fuelled behaviour around the North Richmond injecting room and next door to a primary school.”
“Despite the Ryan review highlighting significant issues including three times more discarded needles on the streets and dangerous drug related activity, Labor has pushed ahead with their flawed injecting room model.”
“Instead of making the safety of schools and children their priority, a stubborn Andrews Government has ruthlessly voted against the community’s views and the evidence contained in the Ryan review.”