Page 4430 - Week 14 - Thursday, 1 December 1994
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QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
Cannabis Law Reform : World AIDS Day
MR MOORE: Madam Speaker, my question is addressed to Mrs Carnell. I point out that I have given notice of the question. I ask the question under standing order 116. It relates to the Bill presented by the Leader of the Opposition - order of the day No. 9, private members business - HIV Notification (Liability of Medical Practitioners) Bill 1992. No doubt Mrs Carnell is aware that today is World AIDS Day. She may have noticed the red ribbons being worn by the Minister for Health and others to pay respect to people suffering from AIDS. I ask whether the Leader of the Opposition, who has the carriage of that Bill, is aware that Dr Peter Rowland, a Canberra GP who specialises in AIDS care, has said:
Cannabis is an extremely valuable drug for relief of pain, anxiety and sleeplessness. I will start providing certificates for my patients as soon as I establish the necessary research protocol.
Is the Leader of the Opposition also aware that Reinhold Bergmoser, an executive member of ACT People Living with AIDS, has said today, on World AIDS Day, that the medical use of cannabis could mean a significant improvement in his health management? He said:
Using cannabis would mean I could reduce the number of tablets I take by about 2,000 to 3,000 tablets per year. This is better for my health and cheaper for the health system.
With that background, can Mrs Carnell indicate whether her Bill will assist people living with AIDS and medical practitioners working with AIDS to the same extent as the amendment that was passed in the Legislative Assembly yesterday? Also, will she indicate the downright hypocrisy of the Minister for Health, who comes in here wearing a red ribbon on World AIDS Day while he undermines the care for people living with AIDS?
MRS CARNELL: I think it is really appropriate to be asked this question on such an important day as World AIDS Day. The HIV legislation that you are talking about, Mr Moore, was recommended by the legal working party of the Intergovernmental Committee on AIDS. It provides professional indemnity for doctors in cases where, under certain circumstances, they elect to notify a partner of a person who is HIV positive. AIDS is a dreadful disease. Already it has taken the lives of many Australians. The suffering associated with end-stage AIDS is tragic. We must all do everything in our power to overcome the problems associated with AIDS, including the relief of suffering. World AIDS Day, hopefully, will focus our attention on this important issue.
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