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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 1 Hansard (20 February) . . Page.. 181 ..

(Quorum formed)

MR SPEAKER (Mr Cornwell) took the chair and asked members to stand in silence and pray or reflect on their responsibilities to the people of the Australian Capital Territory.

MRS CARNELL (Chief Minister and Minister for Health and Community Care) (10.32): Mr Speaker, I present the Health Promotion (Amendment) Bill 1997, together with its explanatory memorandum.

Title read by Clerk.

MRS CARNELL: I move:

That this Bill be agreed to in principle.

The Bill seeks to amend the Health Promotion Act 1995 so that funds advanced to the Health Promotion Board are based on 5 per cent of the actual tobacco franchise fees collected in the previous calendar year and not on 5 per cent of the projected tobacco franchise fees, as is presently the case. This amendment to the Act will provide greater certainty to the board on funding provided by the Government by eliminating fluctuations that may occur when payments are based on revenue estimates. The Bill also seeks to repeal section 28 of the Act, as the new Financial Management Act makes this provision redundant. The Bill provides for technical adjustments only.

Mr Speaker, the Bill in no way changes the Government's commitment to health promotion as a prime strategy for increasing health and wellbeing in the Canberra community. In fact, quite the opposite: It makes sure that the Health Promotion Fund, Healthpact, has real certainty in its funding and can embark upon longer-term planning than is presently the case.

Debate (on motion by Mr Berry) adjourned.

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