ACT Labor MLA Taimus Werner-Gibbings brought forward a motion calling on the ACT Government to increase the number and accessibility of sharps disposal bins across the ACT, including by reviewing areas of unmet demand, developing a plan focused on safety, accessibility and visibility, and conducting consultation and public education about safe sharps disposal.
Thomas spoke in support of the motion, and moved an amendment calling for detainees in Canberra’s prison, the Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC), to be provided with sharps disposal services commensurate to those available in the community. In his remarks, Thomas referred to the ACT Inspector of Custodial Services’ Healthy Prison Review of the AMC 2025 which recommended that a needle and syringe program be introduced in the AMC. Without such a program, the review claims the ACT Government is failing to uphold detainees’ right to health care equivalent to that available in the community, where people can access safe needle and syringe programs.
The motion, with Thomas’s amendment, passed with the unanimous support of the Assembly.