Ms PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan) — My constituency question is for the Minister for Health. Last week it was really great to read that the Victoria Street Business Association had finally declared its support for safe injecting facilities. Since our inception the Australian Sex Party has been advocating for the implementation of such facilities, especially in Richmond, based on the evidence that they are an incredibly effective and proven harm reduction measure.
We have seen increased law enforcement, and turning a blind eye to the issue has led to nothing except for drug-related harm and deaths in the area as well as dangers not only to the users but also to the residents themselves. Now that both Yarra City Council and the traders support the facilities, I ask: will the health minister establish a safe injecting facility in the Richmond area immediately?
