Page 791 - Week 05 - Thursday, 6 July 1989
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reticulation system which will supply recycled water to homes which can be used for gardening, other outdoor activities and toilet flushing?
Based on that, can the Minister advise: Has the proposal for a second domestic reticulation system for recycling used water been considered? If such a consideration has been made, then what were the estimated costs of such a proposed reticulation system? What is the dollar saving to be gained from this proposal compared with the building of a new dam?
MR DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Stefaniak): I would ask members to keep their questions short if they can. I know Mr Prowse has not had a chance to ask one before.
MRS GRASSBY: The Chief Minister says I should give a short answer. May I say that I cannot give Mr Prowse all the answers to that, and I will get back to him. But, like him, I believe in conserving water. Most of our water in Australia runs to waste or runs to the sea. Coming from an irrigation area, I appreciate how important it is. I lived in an area where we wanted another dam built to save water that was running down the Murrumbidgee, because we had to order it a week ahead but if it rained then and we did not take the water it all ran down the Murrumbidgee and we lost it. So, can I say yes, we will be looking into that, although we have on the agenda the fact that a new dam has to be built. I am quite sure if there is a way of not spending the money we will find it. So I will get back to him with those figures.
AIDS Testing
MR WOOD: Mr Deputy Speaker, I direct a question to the Minister for Community Services and Health. It concerns the controversial issue of AIDS testing. Has the ACT Government or the Minister examined the issues surrounding testing for AIDS before surgery? Are any decisions to be reached in this matter? What information can he give the Assembly?
MR BERRY: I thank Mr Wood for the question. Because AIDS is a very serious problem for those who undergo surgery and for those who perform it, the Government is concerned about it, as are doctors, patients and those who might consider that one day there is some risk of their being patients. Mr Deputy Speaker, Australian health Ministers at a conference in March this year, unanimously rejected a call for mandatory testing for AIDS. The Australian Medical Association has also endorsed such policies and agreed that patients should voluntarily submit to AIDS testing before treatment. So I think that those who find themselves in the unfortunate circumstances of having to undergo surgery should volunteer for that sort of testing, but it will not be a requirement under this Government.
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