Page 1044 - Week 04 - Thursday, 21 May 2020

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providing this service, with positive feedback from both patients and clinicians. This number is increasing, and we anticipate one-third of all outpatient appointments to be via telehealth in the future.

I would like to recognise the collaborative approach that New South Wales has taken, including offering Canberra Health Services access to its medical stockpile through its central medication supplier. Canberra Health Services will effectively be treated as another New South Wales local health district in this regard. This reflects the broader approach all states and territories and the commonwealth have taken during this crisis, working constructively, collaboratively and quickly to ensure that supports are in place when and where they are needed.

Madam Speaker, we are on the right track. We are on the right track because of the commitment of Canberrans to support our health services and our most vulnerable citizens during this incredibly challenging time. We are on the right track because of our exemplary public health officials and the advice of our health experts.

For the Assembly’s information, I will table the Chief Health Officer’s report on the state of the public health emergency due to COVID-19. This includes advice on the current situation in the ACT, in Australia and around the world. The Chief Health Officer will continue to provide formal advice to me on the state of the public health emergency in a form appropriate for public release.

I and my colleagues are also regularly kept informed of the situation through briefings, cabinet meetings and subcommittees, and the sharing of information released by the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee and national cabinet.

I thank Dr Coleman and her team for their hard work throughout this period. The ACT is in this enviable position, in large part, because of their commitment and professionalism.

I present the following papers:

Status of the public health emergency due to COVID-19—Chief Health Officer Report—19 May 2020, dated 21 May 2020.

COVID-19—Update on Government response—Ministerial statement, 21 May 2020.

I move:

That the Assembly take note of the ministerial statement.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Building and Construction Legislation Amendment Bill 2020

Mr Ramsay, pursuant to notice, presented the bill, its explanatory statement and a Human Rights Act compatibility statement.


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