INJECTING ROOMS PLAN HEADING FOR DEFEAT

Plans for five supervised heroin injecting rooms in Melbourne face defeat in
Victoria's parliament as support from MPs crumbles.

Premier Steve Bracks yesterday made a pitch to a divided Liberal Party to
back the 18-month trials as doubts by two independent MPs hardened into
outright opposition.

Mildura MP Russell Savage vowed to vote against the enabling legislation
while Gippsland East MP Craig Ingram said his "gut feeling" was that he
would oppose it.

Without Liberal support, or a win for Labor at next month's Benalla
by-election, plans to allow heroin addicts to inject in the supervised
facilities around Melbourne face defeat in the state's lower house.

Mr Bracks said he hoped the Liberals would properly consider the
government's legislation - something both Liberal leader Denis Napthine and
National Party leader Peter Ryan have promised to do.

"Now if one or two of the independents aren't supporting it, I understand
that; we will seek support from the Liberal Party ... given their commitment
to have a proper consultation," he said.

Even if the government wins backing in the Legislative Assembly, the
conservative-dominated upper house now seems sure to vote it down.

Most National MPs are implacably opposed to the trials with party sources
saying there is no prospect of the government's bill passing the Legislative
Council. Mr Ryan restated his "grave concerns" about the facilities
yesterday, saying the cost of running them should instead be funnelled into
improved health, education and enforcement.

The enabling legislation is to be introduced during the present session of
parliament but will be allowed to lie over until the spring session to allow
for public discussion.

The government has rejected going ahead with the trials without legislation,
which was recommended by the state drugs review headed by Dr David
Penington.

Mr Bracks said he accepted the facilities required strict legislative
protocols for police.

Mr Savage said he could not support legislation which effectively legalised
heroin use.

"I think it is a distinct possibility that it could increase heroin use. It
really does send out the wrong message," he said.

Mr Savage said he did not advocate a zero-tolerance approach but a concerted
effort to stamp out street dealing and improve rehabilitation and detox
services so that addicts could receive immediate treatment.

The government still has the support of Victoria's third independent MP,
Susan Davies, who promised not to stand in the way if trial were supported
by communities.