SHOOTING GALLERY GETS GO-AHEAD

NSW's first legal heroin shooting gallery has been given the go-ahead,
despite the Vatican ordering Sydney's Sisters of Charity to abandon the
project.

The State Government's drug reform bill passed through the Lower House
yesterday, paving the way for the 18-month trial of safe injecting rooms at
Kings Cross.

Senior Liberal MP Kevin Rozzoli defied the order of his leader Kerry
Chikarovski and crossed the floor to vote on the controversial measure.

Several other Coalition parliamentarians including Pittwater MP John
Brogden and Upper House members John Ryan and Richard Bull spoke for the
bill but did not vote against it.

Special Minister of State John Della Bosca said the shooting gallery was on
track to open by April next year despite not having an operator after the
Pope's intervention.

Mr Della Bosca said he was in negotiations with "several prospective
operators" and expected to make an announcement soon.

While NSW is the first State to attempt a trial, the new Victorian
Government has already signalled it will follow suit.

The Uniting Church and the University of NSW are among parties interested
in taking over from the sisters.

The university has emerged as the frontrunner because its extensive medical
and academic facilities meet the Government's stringent criteria.

Its 21-member ruling council has unanimously resolved to support the project.