Page 4922 - Week 15 - Thursday, 8 December 1994
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MADAM SPEAKER, I HAVE PLEASURE TODAY IN PRESENTING A
DISCUSSION PAPER ENTITLED "THE REFORM OF PUBLIC HEALTH
LEGISLATION IN THE A.C.T." -
THE LABOR GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING THE CANBERRA COMMUNITY WITH THE BEST POSSIBLE HEALTH SYSTEM.
TO THIS END, MANY IMPORTANT INITIATIVES IN THE AREAS OF HOSPITAL SERVICES AND COMMUNITY HEALTH HAVE ALREADY BEEN IMPLEMENTED.
WHILE THESE INITIATIVES WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE BENEFITS TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC FOR MANY YEARS TO COME, THE GOVERNMENT ALSO RECOGNISES THE NEED TO EXPLORE OPTIONS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT AND REFINEMENT OF LEGISLATION GOVERNING THE PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF PUBLIC HEALTH IN THE A.C.T.
OUR PRESENT PUBLIC HEALTH ACT IS NOW OVER 60 YEARS OLD. ALTHOUGH IT HAS BEEN SUBSTANTIALLY AMENDED, IT REMAINS A REFLECTION OF SOCIETYS ATTITUDES IN THE 1920S.
FURTHERMORE, THE CURRENT LEGISLATION IS INADEQUATE WITH EMERGING CHALLENGES SUCH AS THE SPREAD OF LEGIONELLA.
RECENT REVIEWS BY MY DEPARTMENT HAVE SUGGESTED THAT, IN
LINE WITH CHANGES TO LEGISLATION 1N THE STATES, THERE IS A
NEED FOR A CLEARER LEGISLATIVE AND PHILOSOPHICAL FRAMEWORK
FOR PUBLIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN THE A.C.T.
THEREFORE, I PROPOSE THAT WE WORK TOWARDS REPEALING THE
PUBLIC HEALTH ACT 1928 AND REPLACING IT WITH NEW LEGISLATION
THAT IS SIMPLER, MORE COMPREHENSIVE AND EASIER TO
ADMINISTER. _ _
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