Page 382 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 23 February 1993
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MS SZUTY (8.00): It is a shame that the Liberals have left the chamber and are not prepared to listen to what I have to say on this Bill, because there are some points about it that I wish to make. However, the Minister for Health may well be interested, as may his Labor colleagues. The Minister for Health has introduced the Health Bill and the Health (Consequential Provisions) Bill as a consequence of the impending resignation of three members of the current Board of Health, including its chairperson, Mr Jim Service, and the deputy chairperson, Ms Gail Freeman. Two of these resignations have occurred in response to stated interference by this Assembly in the activities of the Board of Health. The fact that this Assembly asked the board for copies of information in relation to its budget, does not, in my mind, constitute interference. Nevertheless, notice of impending resignations followed.
It is interesting to note Mr Service's remarks in the September and December quarter activity reports. The September report, dated 26 October 1992, states:
I am delighted to present the first quarterly report of the ACT Board of Health.
I notice that my colleague Mr Moore has just assumed the status of the Leader of the Opposition for this debate. The December report, dated 1 February 1993, states:
It is with mixed feelings that I present to the ACT community the second quarterly report of the ACT Board of Health.
It is indeed unfortunate that the change of heart occurred following the success of Mrs Carnell's motion put to this Assembly on 17 December last year, requesting that full financial reports be made available to members of this Assembly. The Minister has, quite appropriately, reassessed whether he feels that he wants the Board of Health to continue to operate, and he has decided that he does not. I believe that that is the Minister's prerogative.
I now wish to address several provisions of the Bills. In clause 4 the Health Bill 1993 includes its objectives in providing health services in the Territory. I believe that the inclusion of these objectives is a positive step. However, I also believe that the community now has considerable expectations that these objectives, given that they are enshrined in legislation, will be met. The clause 4(c) objective is:
to maintain a strong and viable public hospital system and a full range of community health services.
It creates an expectation that indeed a full range of community services will be provided to meet community need. Preparing and disseminating information to the community about available services will be an important step in addressing these expectations.
Clause 5 outlines Medicare principles and commitments and again enshrines them in our health legislation. They are fine ideals. However, as clause 6 indicates, the objectives and Medicare principles and commitments are not intended to create individual legal rights. I would suggest, however, that community expectations will be raised that will again need to be met.
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