Tuesday, 7 March 2023

 Gabrielle WILLIAMS (Dandenong – Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ambulance Services, Minister for Treaty and First Peoples) (12:06): I move:

That I introduce a bill for an act to amend the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981 in relation to the medically supervised injecting centre and for other purposes.

Motion agreed to.

 Emma KEALY (Lowan) (12:06): I ask the minister for a brief explanation of the bill, including an explanation as to why the injecting room will continue to be located next to a primary school.

 Gabrielle WILLIAMS (Dandenong – Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ambulance Services, Minister for Treaty and First Peoples) (12:07): I am happy to provide a brief explanation of the bill and leave debates for another time. The bill establishes a North Richmond medically supervised injecting room as a permanent service at its current location, removes limitations to the MSIR models of care and improves service delivery, efficiency, responsiveness, governance and continuity. The bill also amends the act to allow the reissuing of an MSIR licence to a new person and will allow the service licence to be extended to support service continuity during a recommissioning process.

Read first time.

Ordered to be read second time tomorrow.