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Independent Review of "Trial" Injecting Room

Friday, 2nd July 2010

The Rev Fred Nile MLC, Leader of the Christian Democratic Party, has raised concern during question time in the NSW Upper House, regarding the NSW Government's review of the Kings Cross 'Trial' Injecting Room. The review will be the first truly independent analysis of the so-called "trial" that began 9 years ago.

Reverend the Hon. Fred Nile: I ask the Hon. John Hatzistergos, representing the Premier, a question without notice.

  • Can the Government confirm that KPMG has been tasked with conducting an inquiry of the trial injecting room at Kings Cross?

  • What are the terms of reference for the inquiry?

  • Do the terms include the impact on drug consumption in the area due to the honey pot effect?

  • Do the terms include the impact on police operations due to the no-go police area?

  • How many referred individuals completed the rehabilitation program and are free from drugs?

The Hon. John Hatzistergos: I will refer the matter to the Premier. I know the honourable member has a longstanding opposition to the medically supervised injecting room notwithstanding the fact that it has been evaluated on a number of occasions and the impacts have overwhelmingly been proved to be positive. I hope that when the analyses are released for public debate the honourable member might take an approach to it that recognises there are different perspectives and, in particular, not every drug user can necessarily be rehabilitated through one particular means. It is a complex issue and people respond to different methods of being able to be treated.

One thing I do know is that the carnage of people who were found in the streets in Kings Cross as a consequence of overdoses and who died, and the misery that caused to many of their loved ones, has by and large stopped. That is an outcome that has even been acknowledged by the Leader of the Opposition notwithstanding some other criticisms he made recently. I would have thought for any person who looks at this matter objectively that would be a good thing.