Festival-goers will again be able to get their illicit drugs checked for dangerous substances at this year's Groovin the Moo music festival in Canberra, after the ACT Government signed off on a trial being held inside the festival gates.

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After a horror summer of festival overdoses in New South Wales, the ACT Government has resolved to push ahead with its controversial pill testing policy.

It comes after the nation's first pill testing trial was held at the same event in the capital in April last year.

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said state and territory health ministers from across the country would be invited to witness the trial first-hand at this year's event.

"We are keen for this approach to continue on the basis of the success of the first trial and the failure of policy over many decades now to address harm minimisation adequately," he said.

"We believe that by making this service available there's potential to save lives.

"In light of the experience in other jurisdictions over the summer with some quite-serious medical issues arising, there will be some additional harm minimisation measures put in place."

The first pill testing trial in Australia took place at the Groovin' the Moo festival in Canberra. ( Supplied: Jack Toohey )

The second trial, to be run by Pill Testing Australia, contrasts with moves by the New South Wales Government to harden its stance against illegal drugs.

In the wake of five deaths at festivals in recent months, the NSW Government also convened an expert panel to investigate festival safety, but ruled out pill testing as an option.

Opponents of pill testing fear the practice could encourage festivalgoers to take drugs.

ACT Opposition spokesman Jeremy Hanson criticised the Government's decision, saying pill testing sent a dangerous message.

"The evidence that we've seen shows that pill testing is going to create that illusion that pill taking is safe, when we know that it's anything but, and it will lead to more people taking drugs," Mr Hanson told ABC Radio Canberra.

"The message that's being sent by this is that if pills are tested then they're safe, and that drug taking is something that the Government either condones or is reasonably comfortable with.

"That sends a message that's dangerous."

But the ACT Government hailed the first-ever trial a success, with 85 substances tested and two potentially deadly substances detected.

Other substances including toothpaste, paint and lactose were also identified.

'There will be more deaths'

ACT Policing and health officials back the trial, and event organiser Cattleyard Promotions said it was eager to host pill testing for a second year.

Pill Testing Australia member David Caldicott, who is also an emergency doctor, said he was pleased pill testing would return to the festival in 2019.

"What we know for certain is where pill testing occurs patrons of music festivals moderate their drug consumption," he said.

"What really is the secret sauce of pill testing is the opportunity for people, who have never had any contact with drug and alcohol services, to sit down with people who know the truth about illicit drugs.

"It provides an opportunity for young people to get some real information, some real science from people who know what they're talking about, and some advice that might ensure that they get home to their mummies and daddies."

Speaking on the ABC's Q&A program on Monday night, Dr Caldicott said the debate about pill testing was unlikely to be resolved in the near future.

"Much of the discussion is now political, I think the science is pretty much resolved," he said.

"I think unfortunately … the way that this is going to resolve is that there will be more deaths and in the end it will be a series of coronial reports that forces people's political hands in different states and jurisdictions."

Mr Barr called on his counterparts in state and territory governments to keep an open mind to evidence sourced from the two pill testing trials.

"This is an issue that we must confront as governments across the nation," he said.

"We're gathering as much information and evidence as we possibly can through these trials to ensure this debate is an informed one.

"Our agenda here is to ensure that people are as safe as they can possibly be."

ACT Greens leader Shane Rattenbury backed the Government's support for the trial and said Canberra was "proof pill testing works".

The trial comes after the Commonwealth Government last year blocked a proposal to hold pill testing at Spilt Milk music festival, which is held on federally-owned land.

Spilt Milk was slated to be the first site of a trial in 2017, but the promoters pulled out weeks before the event despite ACT Government approval.

Groovin the Moo will be held at Epic Park, land owned by the ACT Government.