Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 9 Hansard (28 August) . . Page.. 2721 ..

MRS CARNELL (continuing):

In recognition of the specific needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, bilateral agreements between the Commonwealth and States and Territories have been developed, aimed at improving the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. These are based on the premise that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have the same rights to good health and good health care as all other Australians. These agreements are the product of extensive consultations with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health organisations and ATSIC, and intend to redress the reality that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people currently suffer the worst health of any group in the community. The ACT, as many people will know, signed this agreement just last week. The agreements will be part of a four-part approach to improving the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and will also include the trialling of coordinated care, the establishment of a national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Council, and the development of strategies to combat specific health problems.

Ministers also noted the preliminary report on the availability and nature of palliative care in Australia. An Australia-wide committee has been established to develop a national palliative care minimum data set and performance indicators. This incorporates work that has occurred around Australia and also at the ACT level. The ACT will participate in the national committee, in the national subacute and non-acute casemix classification, and accreditation activities.

At the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Council meeting important issues relating to the national food system were discussed. There is a recognised need to improve government and industry arrangements for the safe production and handling of food to meet new demands and challenges to food safety which are emerging. The proposed system seeks to enhance the safety of Australia's food supply; strengthen Australia's food export position as an effective supplier of clean, safe food, particularly in the Asian market; maximise effective utilisation of resources; ensure agencies are appropriately resourced; meet Australia's international obligations; and respond to the food industry's support for uniform hygiene standards and for uniform, effective surveillance.

The council recognised the importance of safe food to public health and safety and to Australia's international marketing of food products as clean and green. It recognised that this safety will be greatly enhanced by the consolidation and implementation of coordinated national safe food arrangements across the whole food chain. It was noted that a food hygiene standard is currently being prepared, and there have already been moves to introduce consistent national standards relating to meat. Currently under way is the development of a safe food system that will have a paddock to plate approach. This approach will benefit the whole of Australia.

Work still to be completed includes the clarification of roles and responsibilities between the Commonwealth, State and Territory governments and the resource capacity to implement regulations and requirements - an issue particularly important to small jurisdictions such as the ACT. The ACT is well placed organisationally to carry out this new approach to food safety, as it carries out the functions of both municipal and State governments with the one team of officers - the Health Protection Service. This approach overcomes many of the problems that will have to be faced where local government has food safety responsibilities in the majority of States.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .