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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 14 Hansard (10 December) . . Page.. 4589 ..
MR BERRY (continuing):
They were not consulted. But are you surprised? A chorus of "No". It
would have been a little helpful if we had been given a list of the people who
had been consulted. In this case it would not have been too much trouble
because I think the list was pretty short. In my consideration of this issue I
have given an example of the very hollow nature of the Government's commitment
to full and wide consultation, open council-style government and all of that
other stuff that was unleashed on the ACT community at the last election. Mr
Speaker, I repeat that the Opposition will be supporting these amendments.
MR MOORE (11.39): Mr Speaker, I rise to support the legislation. I think it is appropriate that protection is in place for not just the HIV/AIDS virus but also a range of other diseases. I did have some concern with the legislation when I first read it. The following definition is being inserted into the legislation by paragraph 6(f):
... "`Transmittable disease' means any of the following diseases:
... ... ...
AIDS in any of its forms, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and so on -
(f) any other prescribed disease.".
It occurred to me that it would be appropriate that it be notified in the Gazette and made a disallowable instrument.
I approached, through my office, Parliamentary Counsel to draw up an amendment to that effect. Parliamentary Counsel has assured us that, in fact, any other prescribed disease must go through that process. I have accepted that on this occasion. However, having had some time to think about that, Mr Speaker, it seems to me that it is appropriate that such information is in legislation. It just makes it easier to read. It is all right for people who are constantly using the Acts Interpretation Act and so on; but it does not hurt us to reiterate these things so that it is very clear to somebody who objects that there is a process to go through, not only for the public servants involved in the process, and not only for the Minister. We may well wind up with a brand new Minister in this portfolio after the next election. Even if Mrs Carnell were to be re-elected, one would have to be surprised if she took on the health portfolio a second time.
Mr Berry: If you would come to your senses we would get one a lot sooner.
Mr Humphries: Do you want to be Health Minister, Michael? We can arrange that.
MR MOORE: I am sure Mr Berry would be happy to help Mrs Carnell make - - -
Mr Berry: I did not say that.
MR SPEAKER: Order!
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