Pills, powders and liquids that might be harbouring deadly substances will be able to be legally tested across Victoria, following a major policy change announced by Premier Jacinta Allan this week.

Pill testing will become permanent after an 18-month trial starting this summer, with a mobile service to attend up to 10 music festivals. In Victoria, paramedics responded to more drug overdoses at festivals in the first three months of 2024 than during all of 2023. 

The announcement is a change from Labor's previous stance against pill testing, and comes alongside the party choosing to not support a second safe drug injecting room in Melbourne’s CBD despite experts' advice saying it would help reduce fatal heroin overdoses in the state.

In this episode of The Briefing, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan joins to explain the reasoning behind the change of heart in the Victorian government, and Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell gives her take on the proposed rollout.

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