More spin from Labor on second injecting room report
The Victorian Premier must be honest with Victorians about his plan for a second injecting room in Melbourne’s CBD, after he denied ever receiving a report from Ken Lay.
Victorians have been strung along, waiting for Mr Lay’s report into a second injecting room since 2020, with the Premier granting another deadline extension, and Treasurer Tim Pallas today admitting the Government has a copy of the report.
Shadow Minister for Mental Health, Emma Kealy, said Victorians need transparency and accountability from the State Government.
“Lay’s report was expected 796 days ago and since then the Government has purchased a building and advertised jobs, yet Mr Lay’s interim and final reports are still being kept secret from the people who will be most impacted,” Ms Kealy said.
“Victorians can see straight through Daniel Andrews’ spin. It is unacceptable – and quite unbelievable – that an independent report by a former police Chief Commissioner would be delayed by two-and-a-half years.”
Ms Kealy said the constant extensions to the report deadline left Victorians with more questions than answers.
“The State Government saw the report in late 2021 and told Mr Lay to go back to the drawing board,” Ms Kealy said.
“This report has been shrouded with secrecy, and, it seems, the scope expanded until the Andrews Labor Government can find any skerrick of data to justify pushing ahead with a Melbourne CBD injecting room.
“Daniel Andrews must be honest with Victorians and release Mr Lay’s report immediately.”