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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 08 Hansard (Thursday, 5 August 2004) . . Page.. 3585 ..

Vending machines will not be located on main streets and there will be no signs that are lit up informing us that they are available, which is what we encounter with ATMs. Because of their very nature and the nature of those who seek to use them, they would be located in more secluded areas that were not open to public scrutiny. They would be located in those areas to encourage people to use them. However, that in turn will lead to issues of security in that people may well be exposed, and it will also lead to problems with data collection.

We obtain important data from the mobile needle exchange program. We can anonymously track those who are taking needles and establish how regularly they are using them. If we were not able to do that it would be to the detriment of any needle exchange program. The most important issue relating to the current needle exchange program is that there is a helping hand handing out needles to those who use them, which is critically important.

Part of the cycle of decay for those who use illicit drugs is that they become increasingly isolated from the community. One thing is important to their recovery and to their full return to the community. Somebody with a helping hand must be there to say, “We are here to help. Can I give you more information? Here is a brochure; here is a referral. Let me phone somebody. I can get you some help. I will take you somewhere.”

We would not get that with anonymous vending machines. In those areas where we gain information it is critically important that we assist people as best we can. Vending machines will not provide us with any of that information. They will not be under observation and no security cameras will be attached because of the need for anonymity and the privacy of individuals. I reiterate the Liberals’ support for harm minimisation and the fight against drugs. However, on this occasion we will not vote in support of the bill.

MS DUNDAS (8.54): The Democrats support the Drugs of Dependence (Syringe Vending Machines) Amendment Bill. We are pleased that the government is finally implementing some of the recommendations in the report entitled Access to needles and syringes by intravenous drug users which was handed down 12 months ago. Sometimes I wish the government would move faster to implement some of the recommendations in reports such as that.

We must be more proactive in exploring options that are available to fight the spread of blood-borne diseases such as hepatitis C and other diseases that can be spread by the intravenous drug use community. It is a matter of great concern to me and it should be a matter of great concern to the entire community that there are increasing rates of hepatitis C. The rates of HIV infection remained steady in the past, but new rates of HIV infection are now occurring in the ACT. The number of people who have these life-threatening diseases is expanding every year and we need to do more in our harm minimisation approach to prevent the spread of these diseases.

We must establish how the location of syringe vending machines will impact on our criminal justice system, our prisons and our remand centres. The Standing Committee on Community Services and Social Equity noted in its report relating to the families of those who are in custody that health problems that are picked up while individuals are in

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