Should the supervised drug injecting room in North Richmond keep operating at its current site on an ongoing basis, rather than as a trial?
North Richmond supervised injecting room
Both houses · 6 votes
Background
A supervised injecting room is a health service where people can inject illegal drugs with nurses and other staff on hand. North Richmond's opened as a trial in 2018; the 2023 bill ended its trial status so it can keep operating on an ongoing basis, with licences of up to four years and a further review due to start by 30 June 2028. A Coalition amendment requiring any centre to be at least 250 m from a school or childcare service from July 2024, which would have required North Richmond's to move, was defeated, as were reasoned amendments to the same effect and a 2024 Council motion calling for the site to be reviewed.
What each side said
Summarised from the debate in Parliament, with sources below.
For “agree”
Supporters said the service has managed thousands of overdoses without a death, two independent reviews recommended it continue, and "the location was selected because that is where the need is" (Michaela Settle, ALP, 22 Mar 2023). The Greens and Legalise Cannabis supported it and wanted more centres: "Its location is a response to the drug trade, not a cause of it" (David Ettershank, Legalise Cannabis). The Libertarian supported the bill but also backed the buffer amendment and the 2024 review motion over neighbourhood amenity (David Limbrick). Animal Justice also voted on this side.
For “disagree”
Opponents said an injecting room should not be next to a primary school and should be moved: "Put children first and move this injecting room away from a primary school" (Emma Kealy, Nationals, 22 Mar 2023). They cited discarded needles and worse neighbourhood amenity in the 2023 review and sought a 250 m buffer from schools (Georgie Crozier, Liberal); the Shooters said the bill does not allow the centre to be moved (Jeff Bourman). One Nation and Moira Deeming (now Family First) also voted on this side.
How the parties voted
Across the linked votes below. Second and third readings count five times as much as other votes. Parties are in alphabetical order. How this is worked out
| Party | Record | Votes with a party position |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Justice | Consistently for | 4 of 4 |
| Democratic Labour | Did not vote | 0 of 3 |
| Greens | Consistently for | 6 of 6 |
| Labor | Consistently for | 6 of 6 |
| Legalise Cannabis | Consistently for | 4 of 4 |
| Liberal | Consistently against | 6 of 6 |
| Libertarian | Generally for | 4 of 4 |
| Nationals | Consistently against | 6 of 6 |
| One Nation | Consistently against | 4 of 4 |
| Shooters, Fishers and Farmers | Consistently against | 4 of 4 |
The votes behind this question
Each vote (division) recorded in Parliament that this question is based on, in date order.
23 March 2023 · Legislative Assembly
Drugs, Poisons And Controlled Substances Amendment (Medically Supervised Injecting Centre) Bill 2023
- Question put
- Question — That the words proposed to be omitted stand part of the question — put.
- Result
- Question agreed to. Ayes 55, Noes 24.
- Matches “agree”
- An Aye vote
- Weight
- Normal
- Why it's linked
- Assembly reasoned amendment moved by Emma Kealy; the question was whether to keep the words "be now read a second time". Aye = reject the amendment (let the bill proceed); agree = Aye.
| Party | Aye | No | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greens | 4 | 0 | Aye |
| Labor | 51 | 0 | Aye |
| Liberal | 0 | 15 | No |
| Nationals | 0 | 9 | No |
Every name (Ayes 55, Noes 24) in the vote of 23 March 2023
Ayes (55)
Juliana Addison, Jacinta Allan, Daniel Andrews, Colin Brooks, Josh Bull, Anthony Carbines, Ben Carroll, Darren Cheeseman, Anthony Cianflone, Sarah Connolly, Jordan Crugnale, Daniela De Martino, Steve Dimopoulos, Will Fowles, Matt Fregon, Ella George, Luba Grigorovitch, Bronwyn Halfpenny, Katie Hall, Paul Hamer, Martha Haylett, Sam Hibbins, Mathew Hilakari, Melissa Horne, Natalie Hutchins, Lauren Kathage, Sonya Kilkenny, Nathan Lambert, Gary Maas, Alison Marchant, Kathleen Matthews-Ward, Steve McGhie, Paul Mercurio, John Mullahy, Danny Pearson, Tim Read, Pauline Richards, Tim Richardson, Ellen Sandell, Michaela Settle, Ros Spence, Nick Staikos, Natalie Suleyman, Meng Heang Tak, Jackson Taylor, Nina Taylor, Kat Theophanous, Mary-Anne Thomas, Emma Vulin, Iwan Walters, Vicki Ward, Dylan Wight, Gabrielle Williams, Belinda Wilson, Gabrielle de Vietri
Noes (24)
Jade Benham, Roma Britnell, Tim Bull, Martin Cameron, Annabelle Cleeland, Chris Crewther, Wayne Farnham, Sam Groth, Matthew Guy, David Hodgett, Emma Kealy, Tim McCurdy, Cindy McLeish, James Newbury, Danny O'Brien, Michael O'Brien, Kim O'Keeffe, John Pesutto, Richard Riordan, Brad Rowswell, Ryan Smith, David Southwick, Peter Walsh, Jess Wilson
Official record: Votes and Proceedings Nos 12 to 14 (LA-60-014-04)
23 March 2023 · Legislative Assembly
Drugs, Poisons And Controlled Substances Amendment (Medically Supervised Injecting Centre) Bill 2023
- Question put
- Question — That this Bill be now read a second time and a third time — put.
- Result
- Question agreed to. Ayes 55, Noes 24.
- Matches “agree”
- An Aye vote
- Weight
- Strong: a second or third reading, counted five times
- Why it's linked
- Second and third reading (Assembly). Aye = support the bill; agree = Aye.
| Party | Aye | No | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greens | 4 | 0 | Aye |
| Labor | 51 | 0 | Aye |
| Liberal | 0 | 15 | No |
| Nationals | 0 | 9 | No |
Every name (Ayes 55, Noes 24) in the vote of 23 March 2023
Ayes (55)
Juliana Addison, Jacinta Allan, Daniel Andrews, Colin Brooks, Josh Bull, Anthony Carbines, Ben Carroll, Darren Cheeseman, Anthony Cianflone, Sarah Connolly, Jordan Crugnale, Daniela De Martino, Steve Dimopoulos, Will Fowles, Matt Fregon, Ella George, Luba Grigorovitch, Bronwyn Halfpenny, Katie Hall, Paul Hamer, Martha Haylett, Sam Hibbins, Mathew Hilakari, Melissa Horne, Natalie Hutchins, Lauren Kathage, Sonya Kilkenny, Nathan Lambert, Gary Maas, Alison Marchant, Kathleen Matthews-Ward, Steve McGhie, Paul Mercurio, John Mullahy, Danny Pearson, Tim Read, Pauline Richards, Tim Richardson, Ellen Sandell, Michaela Settle, Ros Spence, Nick Staikos, Natalie Suleyman, Meng Heang Tak, Jackson Taylor, Nina Taylor, Kat Theophanous, Mary-Anne Thomas, Emma Vulin, Iwan Walters, Vicki Ward, Dylan Wight, Gabrielle Williams, Belinda Wilson, Gabrielle de Vietri
Noes (24)
Jade Benham, Roma Britnell, Tim Bull, Martin Cameron, Annabelle Cleeland, Chris Crewther, Wayne Farnham, Sam Groth, Matthew Guy, David Hodgett, Emma Kealy, Tim McCurdy, Cindy McLeish, James Newbury, Danny O'Brien, Michael O'Brien, Kim O'Keeffe, John Pesutto, Richard Riordan, Brad Rowswell, Ryan Smith, David Southwick, Peter Walsh, Jess Wilson
Official record: Votes and Proceedings Nos 12 to 14 (LA-60-014-05)
4 May 2023 · Legislative Council
Drugs, Poisons And Controlled Substances Amendment (Medically Supervised Injecting Centre) Bill 2023
- Question put
- Question — That the reasoned amendment moved by Georgie Crozier be agreed to — put.
- Result
- Question negatived. Ayes 14, Noes 22.
- Matches “agree”
- A No vote
- Weight
- Normal
- Why it's linked
- Council reasoned amendment moved by Georgie Crozier to stop the bill proceeding. Aye = support the amendment (oppose the bill now); agree = No.
| Party | Aye | No | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Animal Justice | 0 | 1 | No |
| Democratic Labour | 0 | 0 | Did not vote |
| Greens | 0 | 4 | No |
| Labor | 0 | 14 | No |
| Legalise Cannabis | 0 | 2 | No |
| Liberal | 10 | 0 | Aye |
| Libertarian | 0 | 1 | No |
| Nationals | 2 | 0 | Aye |
| One Nation | 1 | 0 | Aye |
| Shooters, Fishers and Farmers | 1 | 0 | Aye |
Every name (Ayes 14, Noes 22) in the vote of 4 May 2023
Ayes (14)
Matthew Bach, Melina Bath, Jeff Bourman, Gaelle Broad, Georgie Crozier, Renee Heath, Ann-Marie Hermans, Wendy Lovell, Trung Luu, Bev McArthur, Joe McCracken, Nick McGowan, Evan Mulholland, Rikkie-Lee Tyrrell
Noes (22)
Ryan Batchelor, John Berger, Lizzie Blandthorn, Katherine Copsey, Enver Erdogan, Jacinta Ermacora, David Ettershank, Michael Galea, Shaun Leane, David Limbrick, Sarah Mansfield, Tom McIntosh, Rachel Payne, Aiv Puglielli, Georgie Purcell, Samantha Ratnam, Harriet Shing, Ingrid Stitt, Jaclyn Symes, Lee Tarlamis, Sonja Terpstra, Sheena Watt
Official record: Minutes of the Proceedings Nos. 14, 15 and 16 (LC-60-016-01)
4 May 2023 · Legislative Council
Drugs, Poisons And Controlled Substances Amendment (Medically Supervised Injecting Centre) Bill 2023
- Question put
- Harriet Shing moved, That the Bill be now read a third time and do pass.
- Result
- Question agreed to. Ayes 22, Noes 14.
- Matches “agree”
- An Aye vote
- Weight
- Strong: a second or third reading, counted five times
- Why it's linked
- Third reading (Council). Aye = support the bill; agree = Aye.
| Party | Aye | No | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Animal Justice | 1 | 0 | Aye |
| Democratic Labour | 0 | 0 | Did not vote |
| Greens | 4 | 0 | Aye |
| Labor | 14 | 0 | Aye |
| Legalise Cannabis | 2 | 0 | Aye |
| Liberal | 0 | 10 | No |
| Libertarian | 1 | 0 | Aye |
| Nationals | 0 | 2 | No |
| One Nation | 0 | 1 | No |
| Shooters, Fishers and Farmers | 0 | 1 | No |
Every name (Ayes 22, Noes 14) in the vote of 4 May 2023
Ayes (22)
Ryan Batchelor, John Berger, Lizzie Blandthorn, Katherine Copsey, Enver Erdogan, Jacinta Ermacora, David Ettershank, Michael Galea, Shaun Leane, David Limbrick, Sarah Mansfield, Tom McIntosh, Rachel Payne, Aiv Puglielli, Georgie Purcell, Samantha Ratnam, Harriet Shing, Ingrid Stitt, Jaclyn Symes, Lee Tarlamis, Sonja Terpstra, Sheena Watt
Noes (14)
Matthew Bach, Melina Bath, Jeff Bourman, Gaelle Broad, Georgie Crozier, Renee Heath, Ann-Marie Hermans, Wendy Lovell, Trung Luu, Bev McArthur, Joe McCracken, Nick McGowan, Evan Mulholland, Rikkie-Lee Tyrrell
Official record: Minutes of the Proceedings Nos. 14, 15 and 16 (LC-60-016-02)
4 May 2023 · Legislative Council
Drugs, Poisons And Controlled Substances Amendment (Medically Supervised Injecting Centre) Bill 2023
- Question put
- Question — That the amendment be agreed to — put.
- Result
- Question negatived. Ayes 16, Noes 21.
- Matches “agree”
- A No vote
- Weight
- Normal
- Why it's linked
- Council committee vote on Georgie Crozier's amendment No. 1 (GC47C): a licensed injecting centre must be at least 250 m from a school or childcare service, with licences revocable if not, from 1 July 2024 — which would have required the North Richmond centre to move. Aye = require the buffer; agree = No.
| Party | Aye | No | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Animal Justice | 0 | 1 | No |
| Democratic Labour | 0 | 0 | Did not vote |
| Greens | 0 | 4 | No |
| Labor | 0 | 14 | No |
| Legalise Cannabis | 0 | 2 | No |
| Liberal | 11 | 0 | Aye |
| Libertarian | 1 | 0 | Aye |
| Nationals | 2 | 0 | Aye |
| One Nation | 1 | 0 | Aye |
| Shooters, Fishers and Farmers | 1 | 0 | Aye |
Every name (Ayes 16, Noes 21) in the vote of 4 May 2023
Ayes (16)
Matthew Bach, Melina Bath, Jeff Bourman, Gaelle Broad, Georgie Crozier, Moira Deeming, Renee Heath, Ann-Marie Hermans, David Limbrick, Wendy Lovell, Trung Luu, Bev McArthur, Joe McCracken, Nick McGowan, Evan Mulholland, Rikkie-Lee Tyrrell
Noes (21)
Ryan Batchelor, John Berger, Lizzie Blandthorn, Katherine Copsey, Enver Erdogan, Jacinta Ermacora, David Ettershank, Michael Galea, Shaun Leane, Sarah Mansfield, Tom McIntosh, Rachel Payne, Aiv Puglielli, Georgie Purcell, Samantha Ratnam, Harriet Shing, Ingrid Stitt, Jaclyn Symes, Lee Tarlamis, Sonja Terpstra, Sheena Watt
Official record: Minutes of the Proceedings Nos. 14, 15 and 16 (LC-60-016-06)
1 May 2024 · Legislative Council
North Richmond Medically Supervised Injecting Room
- Question put
- 13 NORTH RICHMOND MEDICALLY SUPERVISED INJECTING ROOM — Debate resumed on the question, That this House —
- Result
- Question negatived. Ayes 17, Noes 20.
- Matches “agree”
- A No vote
- Weight
- Normal
- Why it's linked
- Council motion. Aye = support the motion; agree = No. The motion called on the Government to review the North Richmond site.
| Party | Aye | No | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Animal Justice | 0 | 1 | No |
| Greens | 0 | 3 | No |
| Labor | 0 | 14 | No |
| Legalise Cannabis | 0 | 2 | No |
| Liberal | 10 | 0 | Aye |
| Libertarian | 1 | 0 | Aye |
| Nationals | 2 | 0 | Aye |
| One Nation | 1 | 0 | Aye |
| Shooters, Fishers and Farmers | 1 | 0 | Aye |
Independents, each counted on their own: Moira Deeming (Aye), Adem Somyurek (Aye)
Every name (Ayes 17, Noes 20) in the vote of 1 May 2024
Ayes (17)
Melina Bath, Jeff Bourman, Gaelle Broad, Georgie Crozier, David Davis, Moira Deeming, Ann-Marie Hermans, David Limbrick, Wendy Lovell, Trung Luu, Bev McArthur, Joe McCracken, Nick McGowan, Evan Mulholland, Adem Somyurek, Rikkie-Lee Tyrrell, Richard Welch
Noes (20)
Ryan Batchelor, John Berger, Lizzie Blandthorn, Katherine Copsey, Enver Erdogan, Jacinta Ermacora, David Ettershank, Michael Galea, Shaun Leane, Sarah Mansfield, Tom McIntosh, Rachel Payne, Georgie Purcell, Samantha Ratnam, Harriet Shing, Ingrid Stitt, Lee Tarlamis, Sonja Terpstra, Gayle Tierney, Sheena Watt
Official record: Minutes of the Proceedings Nos. 63, 64 and 65 (LC-60-064-01)
Sources
- EM
- Second reading (Gabrielle Williams (Minister for Mental Health), 2023-03-08)
- Opposition (Emma Kealy, 2023-03-22)
- Crossbench (Gabrielle de Vietri, The Australian Greens - Victoria)
- Crossbench (Tim Read, Greens (per division record; not in current members JSON))
- News: The Standard (Warrnambool, ACM/AAP) (2023-05-05); The Canberra Times (AAP) (2023-05-01); ABC News (2023-03-07)
- Full list: Sources tab (32 items).
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