Page 4759 - Week 15 - Wednesday, 7 December 1994
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MS SZUTY (6.38): It has been a rather curious debate. I take Mr Connolly's point that there has been some 20 months of negotiation on these particular regulations, but it is the responsibility of this Assembly to ultimately make decisions about these matters when they come before us. Mr Connolly indicated that there were some areas of Mrs Carnell's amendments that he agreed with. He was not specific about what they were. It would certainly help me in my understanding of the issues if he would care to clarify those areas of agreement for the benefit of this Assembly and speak specifically to those that he disagrees with.
MR CONNOLLY (Attorney-General and Minister for Health): I seek leave to answer Ms Szuty.
Leave granted.
MR CONNOLLY: Ms Szuty, I am not really inclined to go into details of those things, because I do not think they matter very much. They are alternative forms of wording to achieve much the same thing. My point is that we have been through this ad infinitum with the professional groups. If Mr Berry or I had taken the view that this was the way we would like it worded and this was the way it was going to be, we would have had this thing in place a year ago; but both Mr Berry and I took the view that to make this work it has to be done with the agreement of the local doctors, so we basically gave them the running on the wording they wanted. Mrs Carnell now comes along and says, "No. It has to be worded this way because the Queensland AMA says so". It is not the merits of what she is saying; it is the process. Ms Szuty is right in saying that at the end of the day it is for the Assembly to decide. It is for the Minister to make the regulations, and the Assembly has the right to review them. In a situation like this where there has been such extensive consultation, the Government's view is to let the professionals in charge of it have the say.
MR MOORE (6.40): Madam Speaker, it is very interesting how, when things are not going the way Mr Connolly thinks they should go, we always get, "Let the professionals decide". The reality is - - -
Mr Connolly: Mr Moore, I will be delighted to tell the local doctors that you have ignored their wishes and done cannabis again. I am looking forward to it. I have the press release almost ready to go.
MR MOORE: And your nose will continue growing.
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Moore, let us have a bit of order.
MR MOORE: I withdraw, Madam Speaker. Mr Connolly, your nose will get itchier. The thing that amazes me, Madam Speaker, is that in certain circumstances Mr Connolly comes here and he says, "We should not be making the decision. This is done by regulation". The process that Mrs Carnell used is entirely appropriate. She has certainly provided us with information on her consultation, as you have provided information on what consultation you have undertaken - and very good consultation it has been, too.
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