Page 2771 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 6 October 2021
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Statement by chair
MRS KIKKERT (Ginninderra) (12.06): Pursuant to standing order 246A, I wish to make a statement on behalf of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts in relation to the following Auditor-General’s report: Auditor-General’s Report No 4 of 2021: ACT government’s vehicle emissions reduction activities. The committee has agreed to note and not inquire further into the report.
Statement by chair
MRS KIKKERT (Ginninderra) (12.07): Pursuant to standing order 246A, I wish to make a statement on behalf of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts in relation to Auditor-General’s Report No 6 of 2021, which was tabled in the Assembly on 26 June 2021. The report, entitled Teaching quality in ACT public schools, examines the effectiveness of the ACT Education Directorate’s strategies and activities to improve the quality of teaching practices in ACT public schools. The report contained several conclusions and key findings and reported 14 recommendations.
Pursuant to its resolution of appointment, the committee inquired into this audit report and resolved on 29 September 2021 to bring it to the attention of another committee of the Assembly for further consideration. Accordingly, the committee has written to the Standing Committee on Education and Community Inclusion referring this report for that committee’s attention and consideration.
Sitting suspended from 12.08 to 2 pm.
Questions without notice
COVID-19—health directions
MS LEE: My question is to the Minister for Health. Minister, I refer to your announcement about mandatory vaccinations for high-risk health workers yesterday. Last year’s COVID select committee recommended that health directions have a statement of compatibility with human rights, including justification that they are reasonable and proportionate. This is a recommendation that was agreed to in principle by your government and has not happened for the last 10 directions made this year, leading to calls by the Human Rights Commissioner to re-establish the COVID select committee. Minister, why is the health order to mandate vaccinations in particular health settings not going to be introduced through primary legislation, as recommended by the Human Rights Commission?
MS STEPHEN-SMITH-: I would, of course, refer the Leader of the Opposition to the human rights compatibility considerations from the Chief Health Officer that were tabled this morning. That follows last year’s tabling of a general human rights compatibility consideration for the public health directions that were being made—
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