Page 2765 - Week 09 - Thursday, 26 August 1993
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Madam Speaker, I regret to say that there will be some tension, for as far into the future as I can see, about the water space that is going to be available for water-skiers. Regrettable though that might be, it is a fact of life; it is something that we are going to have to live with and make sure that we manage what we do have in a way that provides access that people see as reasonable in the circumstances. I guarantee that we will do everything to ensure that what is supplied is reasonable in all the circumstances, and wherever we can find more water space which might be available we will work towards providing more space; but there are limitations.
Ms Follett: I ask that further questions be placed on the notice paper.
HEALTH COMPLAINTS LEGISLATION - EXPOSURE DRAFT
Paper
MR BERRY (Minister for Health, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Sport) (3.02): For the information of members, I present an exposure draft of the health complaints legislation, which includes a draft of the proposed Health Complaints Bill and Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill, together with draft explanatory memoranda. I move:
That the Assembly takes note of the paper.
The draft Health Complaints Bill has been prepared as a result of the Government's election platform and release of the discussion paper, "An Independent Health Complaints Unit for the ACT". So, Madam Speaker, this is another stage of the Government's very strong commitment to consultation with the community about the things that affect the community. The purpose of this Bill is to provide for the oversight, review and improvement of public and private health services by establishing an accessible independent facility that will preserve and promote health rights of the users of public and private health services; will receive and resolve health service complaints; will enable users and providers to contribute to the review and improvement of health services; and will provide education and advice in relation to health rights and responsibilities and encourage the resolution of complaints about health services.
The long title of the Bill further captures the purpose of the Bill. It states:
An Act relating to the rights and responsibilities of users and providers of health services and to provide for the resolution of complaints arising out of the provision of those services.
The legislation is at the forefront of health consumer protection. It is watchdog legislation for consumers, and I have no doubt that it will help lead the way to the enhancement of health consumer rights.
The Bill provides for the establishment of the position of Commissioner for Health Complaints to receive complaints over a range of public and private health services, and to assist in the resolution of disputes between users and providers with the aim of improving complaint resolution processes, and, as a consequence, the standard and quality of services. The establishment of the Commissioner for Health Complaints honours a pre-election commitment of this Government and responds to community demand for greater accountability in the provision of health services and for recognition of the rights of consumers to participate
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