Page 948 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 17 June 1992
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MR BERRY: Mr Humphries should know, because he was Health Minister - dash it - for about 18 months. There have been some changes to the way that we record infectious diseases, and there have been some complaints from some quarters about - - -
Mr Humphries: What is the answer, Wayne? Do you know the answer? He is meandering all over the place.
MR BERRY: If you are patient enough to sit there and wait - I can deal with the interjections; we can use up all of your question time just dealing with your silly interjections - - -
Mr De Domenico: You can use up all the private members' business time, too. Answer the question.
MR BERRY: Here we go; another one. That is right; if you want to use up all of the private members' business time and this question time with your interjections, we will use up more and more of your time, so do not be silly. Just sit there and wait. The issue of these sorts of diseases is one that is of concern. The HIV matter is one that is being dealt with currently by way of discussion within the department, and I am sure that the people who are affected by it are concerned about it, because AIDS has been notifiable under the regulations for some time and HIV has not. There is, of course, some concern about the anonymity of HIV sufferers.
Mrs Carnell: But not for AIDS.
Mr Humphries: But why not for anybody else? Rubella sufferers or salmonella sufferers?
MR BERRY: There is some concern about it. The way that they are recorded is different from the way that other infectious diseases are recorded. It is a sensible way to do things. There have been some changes proposed for a range of infectious diseases. The HIV issue will be dealt with separately and you will be informed in due course.
MRS CARNELL: I have a supplementary question. I am very pleased to hear that the HIV problem is going to be addressed. Could the Minister please assure the Assembly that when the HIV question is addressed - he has assured me that that will happen in the very near future - HIV will not be treated differently from other notifiable or infectious diseases?
Mr Connolly: You should read the research papers on this. There is a big argument about this.
MR BERRY: Here we go again. The so-called health professional is saying that we should treat - - -
Mr Humphries: Do you want to answer it, Terry?
Mrs Carnell: Will you answer it, Terry?
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