Page 4085 - Week 13 - Thursday, 10 November 1994
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As the Minister for Health stated in his tabling speech, the Podiatrists Bill is the first of two new health profession registration Bills which will bring the ACT into line with other Australian jurisdictions which currently have statutory regulations for this occupational group and for psychologists as well. As the Minister will be aware, these two Bills have been on the table since Mr Humphries was Minister - I expect, since Mr Berry was Minister the first time, in fact. It has taken an extremely long time for them to come on for debate.
Mr Humphries: Mr Fadden was Minister when they first came up, actually.
MRS CARNELL: I think that Mr Fadden was, too. Unfortunately, it is only now, in the last few weeks of this Assembly, that the Government has finally managed to bring on for debate legislation to register these two other health professions that have not been registered until now. Possibly we should refer them to committees, as they are quite definite changes in the way that we do things. However, I am pleased to note that this Assembly has already dealt with, and successfully passed, other amendment Bills to bring us into line with mutual recognition requirements nationally.
The Podiatrists Bill 1994 provides for the establishment of a five-member board of podiatrists which will comprise a chairperson and three members who must be registered as podiatrists and appointed in accordance with the Health Professions Boards (Procedures) Act 1981. The remaining member will be a community representative - something that I very strongly support. All boards should have community representatives on them. Once the board is established, those podiatrists who are subsequently registered must be recorded on the register of podiatrists. The board will be required to publish the register annually, and members will be required to pay a fee upon registration. A fee will also be required if members wish to update their own details and inspect the register. Failure to change any personal details on the register could incur a fine by the board.
In terms of registration, the Podiatrists Board must consider all applications, and the Bill sets out all the provisions by which a person may be registered as a podiatrist in the Territory. Full registration will depend on a person's qualifications or training or registration in another jurisdiction, and it is on this basis that the board will consider potential podiatrists for full and unconditional registration or registration subject to conditions. Eligibility for full registration in the ACT will be subject to confirmation of qualifications which may have been acquired in another State or country or training which may have been undertaken in another State or country.
Conditions for registration will apply when the board believes that existing circumstances could, in some way, adversely affect the way in which the person delivers podiatry services in the Territory. Cancellation or withdrawal of registration by the board may also occur if a situation arises that warrants the refusal of continuing registration. This may include a criminal offence or inability on the part of the person practising to deliver the service competently to the community. Re-registration will be restricted until it is evident that the situation which warranted deregistration no longer exists and has diminished to the extent that harm could no longer be caused through practising.
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