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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 1 Hansard (17 February) . . Page.. 246 ..

MR RUGENDYKE (continuing):

The Australian Hotels Association has put to me an alternative proposition which is more sensible and fairer than the one incorporated in the Liquor Licensing Standards Manual. This proposal would allow the Liquor Licensing Board to order licensed premises to install needle bins if it was determined there was a problem with intravenous drug use or possible needlestick injuries at a particular venue. Such venues ought not to be limited to nightclubs or taverns. It could be any premises governed by the Liquor Act. It would also be appropriate to allow any premises to install needle bins voluntarily if so desired. But demanding that this occur across the board at all taverns and nightclubs is not a positive addition to our community.

I would like to see the government data on what makes the installation of needle bins in taverns and nightclubs so necessary. I urge members to scrutinise the Government's arguments carefully today, and I urge my colleagues to support the motion. The AHA advises me that their members have no record of discarded needles on their premises, and I challenge the Government to present evidence to the contrary.

I can relate to the fears of tavern owners and nightclub owners that the presence of needle bins would create the perception that they condone drug use. I would not like to see this perception emerge, and I believe that this Assembly should be doing everything in its power to keep these premises clean of drugs, particularly clean of needles.

Then there are the related concerns of disposing of the waste and the contracting of specialist servicing, at additional cost to the business. This cost is particularly unfair when it has not been imposed on clubs, for example. The owners are also worried about liability and potential insurance costs. Who is responsible for drug users who overdose in the toilet? Certainly, there are no problems now. Installing the needle bins will only serve to lure users to the premises and create more issues for taverns and nightclubs to manage than are necessary.

Mr Speaker, the other question which has to be raised is the type of drug which the Government is targeting in this instance. Intravenous drug users are not readily associated with taverns and nightclubs. In the case of nightclubs, the designer drug ecstasy, which is taken in tablet form, is the major problem. Perhaps the Government should be doing more to combat that problem.

The AHA is also seeking to have ultraviolet lights installed in their toilets. Users cannot see their veins under this type of light and it would discourage drug users from injecting in these venues.

The Government has clearly not thought the compulsory installation of needle bins through. I propose today that they take away this Liquor Licensing Standards Manual and try again to come up with an option that is practical and does not have adverse impacts on business and the community. Mr Speaker, I commend the motion to the Assembly.

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