Page 2510 - Week 08 - Thursday, 19 August 1993
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I am sure that everybody here is acutely aware of the difficulties that have occurred in this area over a long period, particularly from my perspective, having worked in the retail area for a long time and regularly in the same precincts as small food outlets. The desperate need to have regulations that can be enforced should never be overlooked.
I am interested to read in the explanatory memorandum that the cost of administering this legislation can be met from within existing funding levels. I certainly hope that those sorts of requirements will be met, but also that the staff and inspectors required to make sure that this legislation works will be put on. The only disappointment I have with this legislation, which I am sure will be picked up in part three of the food legislation, is that at this stage there is no regulation about smoking in areas where food is prepared. Again, I am totally confident that those problems will be addressed when we get to part three of the food legislation.
There is no doubt that food legislation in the ACT is long overdue. It is a problem that has been addressed by Mr Berry on two occasions in 1989, by Mr Humphries when he was in the job and - - -
Mr Connolly: But Mr Berry delivered.
MRS CARNELL: It just took a long time. It is hard to understand why this legislation took so long, taking into account that it affects the way business is conducted in Canberra and people's day-to-day lives and the safety with which they can use food outlets. Madam Speaker, the Opposition will with great pleasure support this long overdue legislation.
MR BERRY (Minister for Health, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Sport) (11.18), in reply: I am very proud to be associated with this Bill. I welcome the support of the Liberal Party and others in relation to this important legislation. It is true that this issue has been a matter of some attention for quite some time. It is therefore most important that there is acknowledgment that it was delivered by Labor and is a matter on which we placed a high priority. Mrs Carnell complained that it has been a long time coming, but it is a fairly complex issue which has to be dealt with in detail, and much work was required to put together the package. Once again, Madam Speaker, I am proud to be associated with the package. I know that the Labor team is proud to be associated with it as well. The effects of food poisoning are often forgotten. It is merely thought of as a pain in the belly. But it can kill and it does cost the community. It is very important in terms of public health that this legislation is carried, and I know that it will be.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Bill agreed to in principle.
Leave granted to dispense with the detail stage.
Bill agreed to.
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