Last Thursday, I was invited inside Victorian Parliament where an information session about Daniel's Bill took place. You might not have seen that last week. Victorian MP Tim Read announced Victorian Greens will introduce a pill testing bill, named in honour of my son, Daniel.
Daniel's Bill proposed a mobile pill testing service that can travel from festival to festival, as well as a single fixed pill testing site that people can access in the lead up to a festival.
I was very happy to see so many crossbench MPs at the briefing, from a broad range of parties - but no MPs from Labor or the Liberals. I think sometimes pill testing is labelled by its opponents as a "left-wing" issue, but the safety of young people should not be a partisan issue. Every parent worries about their children. Every parent wants them to make safe, informed decisions. No parent wants to get a call from the police or emergency room at 4am.
At the meeting, we were reminded once again that the Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews, is still staunchly opposed to pill testing. We also heard from the impressive young people at Students for Sensible Drug Policy that festival season begins next month. Last year, the first of those tragic losses occurred in September.
It is my sincere hope that we do not have a repeat of last festival season - but we have no real plan for this festival season. No opportunities for young people to be informed about the choices they are making. No progress on pill testing.
Mr Andews, the "most progressive state in Australia" needs pill testing. If you would just meet with me, I could explain why Daniel's Bill needs to be passed.
Adriana Buccianti