INJECTING ROOM TRIAL TO BE EXTENDED

The NSW lower house has approved an extension for a trial of Australia's
first heroin-injecting room.

The 18-month trial was to end in October this year but the NSW government
announced it would legislate to keep the Kings Cross clinic open until an
evaluation study had been completed.

The lower house this afternoon voted 60 to 28 to allow the trial to
continue, meaning the clinic will now remain open until at least October
next year.

The Coalition was granted a conscience vote by Opposition leader John
Brogden who himself crossed the floor on the issue.

In his speech to the bill today, Mr Brogden said the issue was a "matter of
conscience, indeed a matter of the heart".

"My position on this legislation, my position on this project has not
changed," he told parliament.

"The extension will continue, that is clear that the government has the
support in both houses to continue the extension beyond the next few months.

"I will not stand in the way of the trial continuing to the extent that the
evidence concludes that it has saved lives.

"I support that evidence.

"I would say however ... I do not support the usage of drugs, I will never
support the decriminalisation of drugs and have never stated that."

But the cost of the trial was concerning, he said.

"It is an enormously expensive project and that has been I think a
reasonable concern raised by a number of members of the Coalition with
respect to this bill," he said.

The bill will now go onto the upper house.