Page 699 - Week 03 - Thursday, 22 March 1990
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The Opposition is pleased to see that this fossilised Government has finally proceeded with our legislation. I hope I do not get too old before I see it introduce some of its own.
MRS NOLAN (10.56): Before adding my support to the Clinical Waste Bill, I will correct Mrs Grassby and suggest to her that it was long before self-government that this legislation was proposed. The Labor Government did not get the Bill into the house, as we have done.
I rise to support the Clinical Waste Bill. However, I understand that, as a result of advice given to the Standing Committee on the Scrutiny of Bill and Subordinate Legislation, some amendments are proposed, and we will be proceeding with those later this afternoon.
I believe the Bill is essential if we, the ACT Legislative Assembly, are to ensure the safety of our workers, Canberra residents and the environment. Until now the ACT has been lacking adequate legislation concerning the storage, treatment, transport and disposal of clinical waste. The Clinical Waste Bill seeks to rectify this situation. Fortunately for the ACT, many professionals in the health areas have been taking a responsible attitude towards the danger of clinical waste. Hospitals have undertaken training programs, making all their staff aware of the dangers involved in handling clinical waste and the correct disposal method. These precautions have been a voluntary, cooperative action between the responsible unions and hospital management and staff. The Alliance Government commends this course of action.
Unfortunately, in the wider animal and human health arena generators, transporters and disposalists have not acted so responsibly. Incorrect procedures have been implemented because people do not know otherwise. Other actions, such as dumping harmful clinical waste in our parks and waterways or across the border, have been deliberately initiated. These conscious acts of ignoring acceptable health practices place the public at risk and must be ceased immediately, before serious accidents occur. A Bill such as this one before us today gives us that opportunity.
Clinical waste is not a new issue to the ACT. We have been experiencing problems for a number of years. In 1987 we were made aware of the situation when disposal of clinical waste at household garbage tips became the source of significant industrial action by workers exposed to clinical waste on those sites. This was not a one-off situation, something that we can just forget about. Periodic discoveries of clinical waste have continued to this year. Items such as pathology cultures, blood samples, needles and disposable medical equipment have been located.
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