In an unprecedented statement, New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian has vowed to shut down the “unsafe” dance music festival Defqon1 following the deaths of two punters overnight.
A 23-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman died in hospital after suspected overdoses after yesterday’s event, with two more young festival-goers still in serious condition.
Addressing the media, Gladys Berejiklian said:
“I never want to see this event held in Sydney or New South Wales ever again – we will do everything we can to shut this down … I don’t want to see this ever happen again – young lives lost for no reason. I understand there were some deaths in the past, but to have at least two on one night when every assurance was given to those attending that it was a safe event – clearly it wasn’t when so many people have succumbed.”
There have been calls for pill testing as a possible means of protecting punters at festivals, but the Premier rejected this notion, saying:
“Anyone who advocates pill-testing is giving the green light to drugs. There is no such thing as a safe drug and unfortunately when young people think there is, it has tragic consequences,”
The state government controls permits and licensing for events like music festivals, and has been in the process of “reviewing the system of regulating events held on public land.”
The organisers of the Defqon1 festival released a statement saying that they are “deeply saddened” by the passing of the two patrons, extending their “sincerest condolences” to their families and friends. The statement continued:
“Thoughts and prayers are also with the young man and woman who are still in a critical condition. We are disappointed at the number of reported drug related incidents, we have a zero-tolerance policy in relation to drug use at the festival. Festival organisers are working closely and cooperating with the authorities regarding the fatalities and the number of medical presentations made during the evening, a full investigation is currently underway.”
“As this is a matter with the NSW Police and the coroner and out of respect for the families and friends we are not going to speculate on the cause of death and we will not be making any further statements or comments.”
