Page 4474 - Week 14 - Thursday, 9 December 1993
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recent new infections and previous infections, so to a large extent the figures reported here do not reflect current transmission patterns but reflect increased testing of those known to be at risk, for example, intravenous drug users, and increased awareness of the possible long-term consequences of chronic infection.
Hepatitis C has recently been investigated by a task force of the National Health and Medical Research Council, at the request of the Australian Health Ministers Advisory Council. AHMAC is currently considering implementation of the recommendations of the task force. Pay attention, Mr Humphries. You asked this important question. You have to listen. Recommendations of the task force relating to control of the disease focus on issues such as education of injecting drug users and health care workers about blood-borne diseases and on programs which are aimed generally at prevention of blood-borne diseases, such as needle exchange programs.
The key role of the needle exchange program in the ACT is to provide information, education and materials to injecting drug users in order to prevent infection with HIV and other blood-borne diseases. The needle exchange program receives substantial support from the AIDS matched funding program and is widely regarded as a very sound and innovative program. Because of the progressive increase in the reporting of hepatitis C and the recent task force report, the issue has been listed as a major agenda item for the next meeting of the ACT Consultative Committee on Communicable Diseases. That committee is scheduled to meet on Friday, 10 December.
I can assure you that appropriate action is being taken to improve understanding of transmission of these conditions in the ACT and to maintain the prevention programs already in place, but it must be recognised that to some extent the increased numbers actually reflect an improvement in disease surveillance and increased testing. This improved surveillance will in turn enhance our capacity to direct prevention programs accurately. Now I can see why you did not ask Mrs Carnell. You got a full answer from me.
SUTTON ROAD DRIVER TRAINING COMPLEX
Discussion of Matter of Public Importance
MADAM SPEAKER: I have received a letter from Mr Stevenson proposing that a matter of public importance be submitted to the Assembly for discussion, namely:
The concern at the inappropriate leasing arrangements made in connection with the Sutton Park driving facility and the resulting loss of considerable revenue.
MR STEVENSON (3.18): I wish to bring to the attention of the Assembly actions that have been taken concerning the leasing of Sutton Park that have resulted in the people of Canberra being deprived of a great deal of income. It would appear that the transport industry training committee has gained a major benefit at the expense of the ACT taxpayers. At a time when teacher jobs were threatened and our hospitals were in a state of crisis - a state which has continued since then - a proposal to lease a facility valued at millions of dollars at an appropriate commercial rate was disregarded and it has been leased for the sum of 10c a year. It seems to me that the circumstances which have resulted in this situation are more than coincidental.
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