Pill test trial will keep music festivalgoers safe
Midnight Mafia - to be held on May 3 at Sydney Showground - will be the second music festival in NSW to participate in the state-backed trial aimed at drug harm reduction. The festival draws more than 20,000 attendees annually.
The first, in March, was the Yours and Owls festival in Wollongong, where 100 punters used the facility.
Police also charged 23 people with possessing prohibited drugs and kicked out six patrons, with the government emphasising "illicit drugs remain illegal in NSW."
Health Minister Ryan Park said the 12-month trial where up to 10 sites will be included was a crucial health intervention.
"This trial is about helping festivalgoers make more informed decisions about drug use with the goal of reducing harm and saving lives," he said on Tuesday.
The free and anonymous drug-checking service allows patrons to bring a small sample of substances they intend to consume for analysis.
Qualified health staff provide a rapid evaluation of the main components of the substances in line with available technology, and an indication of potency where possible.
Advocates say pill testing is a proven harm minimisation strategy used in many countries for decades, while opponents say it sends mixed messages about the risks of using and possessing illicit drugs.
The announcement of the second festival to participate in the trial comes after a contentious drug summit report released earlier in April.
Among its 56 recommendations was a pilot phase to stop the use of sniffer dogs and strip-searching festival patrons suspected of possessing drugs.
Drug-checking was also the top recommendation of a 2019 inquiry into the deaths of six young people at music festivals when Coroner Harriet Grahame found evidence to support community- and festival-based services was "compelling".
That recommendation was rejected by the then-Liberal government, which opted instead for amnesty bins at festival entrances.
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The Advertiser
4 hours ago
- The Advertiser
'Ridiculous': Premier demands disgraced MP's resignation
NSW Premier Chris Minns has demanded disgraced state MP Gareth Ward resign after he was found guilty of sexually abusing two young men. The premier told reporters on Monday it is "ridiculous" that the dumped Liberal-turned-independent for Kiama should stay as a sitting member, and that parliament must protect its integrity. "It is completely ... ridiculous to be in a situation where someone has been, not accused, not charged, but convicted of incredibly serious sexual assault convictions and stay as a member of parliament," Mr Minns said. "You name one workplace in the whole world where that person would continue to be an employee facing that kind of jail time." Following a nine-week trial, Ward was found guilty last Friday of sexual intercourse without consent against a 24-year-old man in 2015, and three counts of indecently assaulting an 18-year-old man in 2013. The scandal-plagued MP vehemently denied the allegations since being charged in 2022. The maximum penalty for sexual intercourse without consent is 14 years' imprisonment. Ward was often seen smiling as he arrived and left court each day, but he left the precinct stone-faced and silent while being chased by the media scrum after the verdict. Within hours, his social media accounts were deactivated. Mr Minns said the government had received legal advice about the Legislative Assembly being able to remove Ward from parliament, even with an appeal pending. He said any action taken by NSW Parliament would not be punitive, but that it must protect its own integrity. Ward, the former minister for families, communities, and disability services, remains on bail and must report to police daily as part of his conditions. Prosecutors will apply to detain him in custody on Wednesday. Mr Minns said many constituents would question whether a convicted sex offender would continue in their role. "Many taxpayers, many voters, would say 'Are you really suggesting that someone who has been convicted of these incredibly serious charges continues on as a member of parliament even when they are in jail?" the premier said. He also praised the victims and said he didn't want their "enormous courage" to get lost in a "political bun fight" over Ward's future career. "If you speak to survivors of this kind of sexual assault, they will tell you that going through the process of reporting it to the police and then a criminal trial turns your life upside down all over again," the premier said. "That should not be forgotten in all this." Both men testified in court about their initial hesitation to come forward to police after grappling for years with self-blame and fear of Ward's power. Despite the convictions, some Kiama residents, including Lyn and John Gibson, expressed their continued support for Ward on Monday. Mrs Gibson said she would "vote for him (Ward) again tomorrow". "We've been very supportive of him," Mr Gibson said. Adam, who asked for his surname not to be published, said he "wasn't comfortable with someone with that sort of conviction representing the community". He believed if Ward didn't resign, it would add "insult to the injury" of the two victims. Lyn and John Brown, who were visiting Kiama from Wollongong, felt Ward should resign immediately. "I feel pleased he was convicted," Mrs Brown said. Kenneth Watson, who has previously handed out election pamphlets for Ward, said he was shocked by the verdict. "He's done a fantastic job as a local member, better than most politicians," Mr Watson said. A by-election will be triggered if a motion is put forward to expel Ward from parliament. The Minns Government and Opposition Leader Mark Speakman both issued statements last Friday calling for the MP to resign, signalling that a motion put forward by the premier is likely to be supported. A successful motion would take immediate effect and would need to be passed by the Legislative Assembly, rather than needing to pass both houses. Without an expulsion motion, Ward would not be automatically disqualified from being an MP until the appeals process has been exhausted. Ward will receive his sentence date on Wednesday. NSW Premier Chris Minns has demanded disgraced state MP Gareth Ward resign after he was found guilty of sexually abusing two young men. The premier told reporters on Monday it is "ridiculous" that the dumped Liberal-turned-independent for Kiama should stay as a sitting member, and that parliament must protect its integrity. "It is completely ... ridiculous to be in a situation where someone has been, not accused, not charged, but convicted of incredibly serious sexual assault convictions and stay as a member of parliament," Mr Minns said. "You name one workplace in the whole world where that person would continue to be an employee facing that kind of jail time." Following a nine-week trial, Ward was found guilty last Friday of sexual intercourse without consent against a 24-year-old man in 2015, and three counts of indecently assaulting an 18-year-old man in 2013. The scandal-plagued MP vehemently denied the allegations since being charged in 2022. The maximum penalty for sexual intercourse without consent is 14 years' imprisonment. Ward was often seen smiling as he arrived and left court each day, but he left the precinct stone-faced and silent while being chased by the media scrum after the verdict. Within hours, his social media accounts were deactivated. Mr Minns said the government had received legal advice about the Legislative Assembly being able to remove Ward from parliament, even with an appeal pending. He said any action taken by NSW Parliament would not be punitive, but that it must protect its own integrity. Ward, the former minister for families, communities, and disability services, remains on bail and must report to police daily as part of his conditions. Prosecutors will apply to detain him in custody on Wednesday. Mr Minns said many constituents would question whether a convicted sex offender would continue in their role. "Many taxpayers, many voters, would say 'Are you really suggesting that someone who has been convicted of these incredibly serious charges continues on as a member of parliament even when they are in jail?" the premier said. He also praised the victims and said he didn't want their "enormous courage" to get lost in a "political bun fight" over Ward's future career. "If you speak to survivors of this kind of sexual assault, they will tell you that going through the process of reporting it to the police and then a criminal trial turns your life upside down all over again," the premier said. "That should not be forgotten in all this." Both men testified in court about their initial hesitation to come forward to police after grappling for years with self-blame and fear of Ward's power. Despite the convictions, some Kiama residents, including Lyn and John Gibson, expressed their continued support for Ward on Monday. Mrs Gibson said she would "vote for him (Ward) again tomorrow". "We've been very supportive of him," Mr Gibson said. Adam, who asked for his surname not to be published, said he "wasn't comfortable with someone with that sort of conviction representing the community". He believed if Ward didn't resign, it would add "insult to the injury" of the two victims. Lyn and John Brown, who were visiting Kiama from Wollongong, felt Ward should resign immediately. "I feel pleased he was convicted," Mrs Brown said. Kenneth Watson, who has previously handed out election pamphlets for Ward, said he was shocked by the verdict. "He's done a fantastic job as a local member, better than most politicians," Mr Watson said. A by-election will be triggered if a motion is put forward to expel Ward from parliament. The Minns Government and Opposition Leader Mark Speakman both issued statements last Friday calling for the MP to resign, signalling that a motion put forward by the premier is likely to be supported. A successful motion would take immediate effect and would need to be passed by the Legislative Assembly, rather than needing to pass both houses. Without an expulsion motion, Ward would not be automatically disqualified from being an MP until the appeals process has been exhausted. Ward will receive his sentence date on Wednesday. NSW Premier Chris Minns has demanded disgraced state MP Gareth Ward resign after he was found guilty of sexually abusing two young men. The premier told reporters on Monday it is "ridiculous" that the dumped Liberal-turned-independent for Kiama should stay as a sitting member, and that parliament must protect its integrity. "It is completely ... ridiculous to be in a situation where someone has been, not accused, not charged, but convicted of incredibly serious sexual assault convictions and stay as a member of parliament," Mr Minns said. "You name one workplace in the whole world where that person would continue to be an employee facing that kind of jail time." Following a nine-week trial, Ward was found guilty last Friday of sexual intercourse without consent against a 24-year-old man in 2015, and three counts of indecently assaulting an 18-year-old man in 2013. The scandal-plagued MP vehemently denied the allegations since being charged in 2022. The maximum penalty for sexual intercourse without consent is 14 years' imprisonment. Ward was often seen smiling as he arrived and left court each day, but he left the precinct stone-faced and silent while being chased by the media scrum after the verdict. Within hours, his social media accounts were deactivated. Mr Minns said the government had received legal advice about the Legislative Assembly being able to remove Ward from parliament, even with an appeal pending. He said any action taken by NSW Parliament would not be punitive, but that it must protect its own integrity. Ward, the former minister for families, communities, and disability services, remains on bail and must report to police daily as part of his conditions. Prosecutors will apply to detain him in custody on Wednesday. Mr Minns said many constituents would question whether a convicted sex offender would continue in their role. "Many taxpayers, many voters, would say 'Are you really suggesting that someone who has been convicted of these incredibly serious charges continues on as a member of parliament even when they are in jail?" the premier said. He also praised the victims and said he didn't want their "enormous courage" to get lost in a "political bun fight" over Ward's future career. "If you speak to survivors of this kind of sexual assault, they will tell you that going through the process of reporting it to the police and then a criminal trial turns your life upside down all over again," the premier said. "That should not be forgotten in all this." Both men testified in court about their initial hesitation to come forward to police after grappling for years with self-blame and fear of Ward's power. Despite the convictions, some Kiama residents, including Lyn and John Gibson, expressed their continued support for Ward on Monday. Mrs Gibson said she would "vote for him (Ward) again tomorrow". "We've been very supportive of him," Mr Gibson said. Adam, who asked for his surname not to be published, said he "wasn't comfortable with someone with that sort of conviction representing the community". He believed if Ward didn't resign, it would add "insult to the injury" of the two victims. Lyn and John Brown, who were visiting Kiama from Wollongong, felt Ward should resign immediately. "I feel pleased he was convicted," Mrs Brown said. Kenneth Watson, who has previously handed out election pamphlets for Ward, said he was shocked by the verdict. "He's done a fantastic job as a local member, better than most politicians," Mr Watson said. A by-election will be triggered if a motion is put forward to expel Ward from parliament. The Minns Government and Opposition Leader Mark Speakman both issued statements last Friday calling for the MP to resign, signalling that a motion put forward by the premier is likely to be supported. A successful motion would take immediate effect and would need to be passed by the Legislative Assembly, rather than needing to pass both houses. Without an expulsion motion, Ward would not be automatically disqualified from being an MP until the appeals process has been exhausted. Ward will receive his sentence date on Wednesday. NSW Premier Chris Minns has demanded disgraced state MP Gareth Ward resign after he was found guilty of sexually abusing two young men. The premier told reporters on Monday it is "ridiculous" that the dumped Liberal-turned-independent for Kiama should stay as a sitting member, and that parliament must protect its integrity. "It is completely ... ridiculous to be in a situation where someone has been, not accused, not charged, but convicted of incredibly serious sexual assault convictions and stay as a member of parliament," Mr Minns said. "You name one workplace in the whole world where that person would continue to be an employee facing that kind of jail time." Following a nine-week trial, Ward was found guilty last Friday of sexual intercourse without consent against a 24-year-old man in 2015, and three counts of indecently assaulting an 18-year-old man in 2013. The scandal-plagued MP vehemently denied the allegations since being charged in 2022. The maximum penalty for sexual intercourse without consent is 14 years' imprisonment. Ward was often seen smiling as he arrived and left court each day, but he left the precinct stone-faced and silent while being chased by the media scrum after the verdict. Within hours, his social media accounts were deactivated. Mr Minns said the government had received legal advice about the Legislative Assembly being able to remove Ward from parliament, even with an appeal pending. He said any action taken by NSW Parliament would not be punitive, but that it must protect its own integrity. Ward, the former minister for families, communities, and disability services, remains on bail and must report to police daily as part of his conditions. Prosecutors will apply to detain him in custody on Wednesday. Mr Minns said many constituents would question whether a convicted sex offender would continue in their role. "Many taxpayers, many voters, would say 'Are you really suggesting that someone who has been convicted of these incredibly serious charges continues on as a member of parliament even when they are in jail?" the premier said. He also praised the victims and said he didn't want their "enormous courage" to get lost in a "political bun fight" over Ward's future career. "If you speak to survivors of this kind of sexual assault, they will tell you that going through the process of reporting it to the police and then a criminal trial turns your life upside down all over again," the premier said. "That should not be forgotten in all this." Both men testified in court about their initial hesitation to come forward to police after grappling for years with self-blame and fear of Ward's power. Despite the convictions, some Kiama residents, including Lyn and John Gibson, expressed their continued support for Ward on Monday. Mrs Gibson said she would "vote for him (Ward) again tomorrow". "We've been very supportive of him," Mr Gibson said. Adam, who asked for his surname not to be published, said he "wasn't comfortable with someone with that sort of conviction representing the community". He believed if Ward didn't resign, it would add "insult to the injury" of the two victims. Lyn and John Brown, who were visiting Kiama from Wollongong, felt Ward should resign immediately. "I feel pleased he was convicted," Mrs Brown said. Kenneth Watson, who has previously handed out election pamphlets for Ward, said he was shocked by the verdict. "He's done a fantastic job as a local member, better than most politicians," Mr Watson said. A by-election will be triggered if a motion is put forward to expel Ward from parliament. The Minns Government and Opposition Leader Mark Speakman both issued statements last Friday calling for the MP to resign, signalling that a motion put forward by the premier is likely to be supported. A successful motion would take immediate effect and would need to be passed by the Legislative Assembly, rather than needing to pass both houses. Without an expulsion motion, Ward would not be automatically disqualified from being an MP until the appeals process has been exhausted. Ward will receive his sentence date on Wednesday.
ABC News
6 hours ago
- ABC News
Health minister sounds alarm over arson attacks after another tobacconist destroyed by fire
The NSW health minister has raised concerns about a string of tobacconists burning down after a business in his local electorate was destroyed in suspicious circumstances at the weekend. About 40 firefighters from Fire and Rescue NSW responded to the blaze which ripped through the Russell Street retail outlet at around 7:00pm on Sunday. Three residents were evacuated from a nearby unit block as firefighters worked to stop the flames spreading to neighbouring buildings. In a statement, police said there were no injuries and the fire was being treated as suspicious. The shop was destroyed. The incident occurred in the local electorate of NSW Minister for Health Ryan Park. The Member for Keira said "alleged arsonists" could be responsible for the blaze. "This is extremely concerning for me both as a local member and as a resident," he said. The fire comes a month after another tobacconist in Ettalong on the NSW Central Coast was destroyed in an arson attack. Mr Park said some tobacco shops had been associated with organised crime. "If we don't get on top of this and we continue to see the proliferation of these stores popping up all over the place, that's bad news for the community and terrible for our local towns," Mr Park said. The incident came just 24 hours after the NSW government announced tougher laws to crack down on the sale of illicit tobacco and vaping goods. Under the new legislation, an offence involving the commercial possession of illicit tobacco carries a maximum fine of more than $1.5 million and up to seven years imprisonment. The changes will also grant health inspectors the authority to close premises found to be in breach of the rules. Mr Park said the new laws were necessary. "That's the type of legislation that we are bringing in, that we have to bring in, because we have to get on top of this issue," he said. Police have urged anyone with information or footage of the incident that might help their investigation to contact Crime Stoppers.
ABC News
6 hours ago
- ABC News
NT to reinstate use of spit hoods in youth detention, eight years after royal commission sparked ban
The Northern Territory government has flagged it will reinstate the use of spit hoods on young people in youth detention centres, almost eight years after the practice was banned. The proposal is one of several changes to the Youth Justice Act 2005 and Youth Justice Regulations 2006 expected to be introduced and debated in NT parliament this week by the Country Liberal Party (CLP) government. In a statement on Monday, the government said the proposed changes would also include: The CLP pledged during last year's NT election to reintroduce the use of spit hoods on youths if elected to government. On Monday, NT Deputy Chief Minister and Corrections Minister Gerard Maley said the legislative changes would be introduced to parliament as a matter of "urgency", following the stabbing at the weekend of a 15-year-old boy at the Royal Darwin Show. Mr Maley said the "community have had enough" when it came to youth crime in the territory. "This is another piece of legislation we're going to do to make sure Territorians can go to work, go to the show and live in the Northern Territory safely," he said. NT Corrections Commissioner Matthew Varley said the proposed amendments were about ensuring "safety and security" for staff and young people in youth detention centres. "These amendments this week are about making sure our staff have the tools, the powers and the procedures to make sure that environment is safe and secure,' he said. "We're wanting to see a change to the past where our officers have been exposed to risk, our officers have been exposed to assault and harm, and our youth detention centres have been damaged and destroyed. Controversy over the NT's use of spit hoods received significant media attention in 2016 following an ABC Four Corners report into the Don Dale Youth Detention Centre, which led to then-prime minister Malcolm Turnbull announcing a royal commission into juvenile justice and child protection in the territory. In 2017, following the federal government's formal endorsement of a United Nations protocol against torture and inhumane punishments, the NT government stopped the use of spit hoods and restraint chairs in youth detention centres. However, it was not until 2022 that the use of spit hoods for youth in police custody was also banned by the then-Labor government, though the ban was never formalised in legislation. In a statement on Monday, an NT Police Force (NTPF) spokesperson confirmed that since October 2024, spit hoods had once again been made available to use on youths in police watch houses and cells. "The NTPF have strict policies in place for their use", the spokesperson said. NT Children's Commissioner Shahleena Musk said the proposed amendments to the Youth Justice Act reflected a "failure" by the government "to meet with key stakeholders, including legal and social service experts". "It goes against all the evidence of what actually works to try to reduce challenging behaviours, particularly in a custodial setting," she said. "We're the only jurisdiction that is now going back to using spit hoods on children. Ms Musk said she was also concerned about the planned change to ensure detention was no longer a last resort. "[It] is against international law, it's against child rights. It can lead to unjust dispositions by the court, that is not able to then balance the needs of that child against other considerations," she said. Opposition Leader Selena Uibo labelled the government's decision a "reactive, knee-jerk response" that would not have a "holistic impact when it comes to improving community safety". "Everything that these millions and millions of dollars of royal commissions or reports have shown not to do, the CLP is doing," she said. In a statement, the National Network of Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls also condemned the proposed amendments and called for "the urgent withdrawal of this legislation". "These proposed changes represent a punitive attack on the rights, dignity, and lives of children in the Northern Territory," said Debbie Kilroy OAM, chief executive of Sisters Inside. Ms Kilroy labelled the re-introduction of spit hoods as a "grotesque failure of leadership", and cited the interstate cases of Wayne Fella Morrison and Selesa Taifaifa — who both died following incidents involving the use of spit hoods — as examples of their "deadly consequences". "Let us be clear: spit hoods are instruments of torture. They are used to degrade, control and silence," Ms Kilroy said. Ms Kilroy also criticised the planned removal of the principle of detention as a last resort. "Many of the children who appear before the courts are themselves victims — victims of violence, poverty, neglect, racism and state failure," she said. "They are not born 'offenders', they are criminalised by a system that was never designed to protect them." The proposed amendments will be introduced to the NT parliament on Tuesday.
