Pubdate: Thu, 15 Feb 2001
Source: Gold Coast Bulletin (Australia)
Copyright: 2001 Gold Coast Publications Pty. Ltd
Contact:  385 Nerang Road, Molendinar, Qld 4214
Fax: +61 7 5539 3950
Website: http://www.gcbulletin.com.au/

PREMIER SAYS NO TO HEROIN DEN CLAIMS

THE Beattie Government has denied claims it will open heroin 
injecting rooms on the Gold Coast if it wins Saturday's election.

Premier Peter Beattie laughed yesterday when he was told of Southport 
National Party MP Mick Veivers' claim.

"Good one, Mick," he said.

"No, no, no and no.

"I just say to Mick, if you are in trouble in your seat, don't tell fibs.

"Little white lies don't work.

"The answer is no. I have very clear views on this. I do not support 
them (injecting rooms). They will not happen while I am leader of the 
Labor Party.

"No, no, no, no and, in case you missed it, Mick, no."

The denial came in response to Mr Veivers' claim that the Labor 
Government planned to open a chain of shooting galleries throughout 
the region.

He said a secret Labor source had leaked the information and told him 
shooting galleries would be set up in Southport, Surfers Paradise, 
Palm Beach and Coolangatta.

Mr Veivers had promised the Gold Coast a Supreme Court if the 
Nationals won and made no move to hide the fact that he had promised 
his preference votes to One Nation.

He said he would support One Nation despite the fact that he had no 
idea what the party was campaigning for.

He said he had promised preferences to One Nation over the Labor 
Party because he did not want to lose.
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