MATURITY URGED OVER DECISIONS

AUSTRALIANS had be more mature about controversial state and territory
government decisions and recognise the nation was governed by a federation,
Prime Minister John Howard said yesterday.

Mr Howard was speaking after the Uniting Church announced Australia’s first
legal heroin injecting room.

Mr Howard has previously warned injecting rooms were contrary to UN
conventions on drugs.

But under pressure to use other UN obligations to intervene over mandatory
sentencing laws, Mr Howard yesterday stressed states responsibilities.

The injecting room has been approved by NSW Police Commissioner Peter Ryan
and the NSW Health Department, the Uniting Church said.

"I don’t agree with it now and I think as time goes by it will not be seen
as making a positive contribution," Mr Howard said.

"But it’s a decision for the NSW Government and the NSW police."

Angry residents and local business leaders, claim they were not told about
its location.