AN indigenous NSW Government MP yesterday admitted that legalising heroin would eliminate the Blocks drug trade, which she said had become the troubled Sydney areas chief economic driver.

Ms Linda Burneys surprise admission to the NSW parliamentary inquiry into the Redfern riot came as Sydney Lord Mayor Ms Clover Moore called for the decriminalisation of heroin and a safe injecting room in the suburb.

Ms Burney said the heroin trade around the Block area supported not just addicts and dealers but also impoverished families who bought the cheap proceeds of robberies.

¡§Its no secret that drugs are really what the economy depends on over there,¡¨ she said.

¡§Clearly if theres not so much money in drugs and theyre not illegal then you wouldnt have a problem.¡¨

But Ms Burney quickly fell into line with party policy, saying she did not support decriminalisation of heroin ¡§per se¡¨.

She also said heroin was not just a local or Aboriginal problem, saying she had witnessed white office workers getting off the train at Redfern station, score and shoot up before resuming the journey to work.

Ms Moore, also the State member for Bligh, which incorporates Redfern, said she and the bulk of inner city residents supported decriminalisation of the narcotic.

¡§Yes, and the community I represent says yes, yes, yes,¡¨ she said.

¡§It would be very beneficial for the community in terms of reduction of crime and helping users get the support that they need.¡¨

Ms Moore warned that unless there were drastic changes in Redfern, more riots would be inevitable.

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