MS PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan) (12:09:31): My question is for the Minister for Health. I would like to pick up where Dr Ratnam left off yesterday on the issue of pill testing. Pill testing is used as a harm minimisation strategy and has been for decades around the world, including New Zealand, and the evidence shows that it does work. As pointed out yesterday, pill testing is supported by the likes of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, the Australian Medical Association, the Australian College for Emergency Medicine, Harm Reduction Victoria and Victorian ambulance workers. So I ask again that you explain to the house: apart from Victoria Police, can you, as health minister, tell us what agencies you have discussed pill testing with and what their advice was?
