CARNELL, SMYTH TO SUPPORT DRUG INJECTING ROOMS

ACT Chief Minister Kate Carnell and Urban Services Minister Brendan
Smyth will cross the floor to support a legalised drug injection room
for Canberra.

The move carries the risk of an offical party censure.

The ACT Government had initially indicated it would allow a conscience
vote when the issue comes before the Legislative Assembly next month.

However, a Liberal Party division meeting last night supported a
motion put forward by a prime ministerial staff member to disallow the
right to a conscience vote, instead taking the issue to the community
through a plebiscite.

This was despite the Chief Minister and Mr Smyth stating prior to the
division vote that they would break ranks to ensure the injecting room
trial goes ahead.

This would nullify the plebiscite result.

Liberal MLAs Gary Humphries, Bill Stefaniak and Greg Cornwell say they
uphold the right of MLAs to cross the floor but will respect party
policy and vote against the bill.

Party sources say although Mrs Carnell and Mr Smyth risk censure over
their stand, the risk of punitive action is minimal.