New laws that make pill testing legal in Victoria will endanger the lives of young people and send completely the wrong message about drug use, according to The Nationals’ Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad.
The new laws will legalise pill testing at music festivals and allow people to carry illegal drugs when travelling to and from venues.
Ms Broad voiced strong opposition to the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Amendment (Pill Testing) legislation in Parliament.
“This bill sends a dangerous message that drug use is acceptable, ignoring the significant risks involved,” Ms Broad said.
“Drugs are unpredictable, and pill testing may create a false sense of security for young people, leading them to believe that any substance they carry or consume is safe.”
Citing a study from Monash University, Ms Broad said that between 2000 and 2019, there were 64 drug-related deaths at Australian music festivals, most of which were unintentional and involved people in their twenties.
Ms Broad said drugs in festival settings can exacerbate dehydration and exhaustion, particularly in crowded, high-temperature environments, which can lead to tragic outcomes.
Ms Broad also expressed broader concerns about the Victorian Government’s drug policies, pointing to the negative impact on communities. She said the government’s track record included the controversial supervised injecting room in Richmond near a primary school, and the rising visibility of drug-related issues across regional areas such as Bendigo.
“In Bendigo, drug use is filling psychiatric wards and emergency departments, leading to a growing number of ambulance callouts,” Ms Broad said.
“Our community is struggling to address these issues, with resources stretched thin and local residents feeling unsafe due to drug-related crime and addiction.”
Ms Broad called the legislation a “backflip” by the Allan Labor government, noting former Premier Daniel Andrews’ prior opposition to pill testing, where he stated that “these drugs cannot be taken at any level and be safe.”
“Labor cannot manage money and cannot keep our young people safe from the scourge of drugs,” Ms Broad said.
Media Contact: Linda Barrow 0484 303 764 linda.barrow@parliament.vic.gov.au
