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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 14 Hansard (9 December) . . Page.. 4712 ..

MS REILLY (11.48): Labor is not opposing these Bills. They are simple administrative changes to ensure that the boards can work more effectively through certain additions to their operations. One of the amendments relates to the removal of the age discrimination. I think that is very important. It fits in with the removal of that sort of discrimination that has happened in a broad range of areas in the ACT administration over a number of years. I think it is important that we recognise the contribution that can be made by professionals after many years of experience in the area. It is important that we are recognising this and changing that part of the legislation, because we would be rather silly to continue to have age discrimination in this day and age. I think one of the positive responses at times has been the fact that we do now recognise that people contribute to the community for many years.

The other part of the legislation looks at the payment for members who are involved in inquiries. This is not for the normal business but for additional business that is required by the various boards at different times when dealing with complaints against members of the profession. This will also recognise more closely the work that is done at times by boards when issues are complex and need considerable time. It also recognises that the additional time may mean that a loss of income is experienced by some board members at that time. This is also supported.

Mrs Carnell: This now relates to orders of the day Nos 4, 5 and 6; not 1, 2 and 3.

MS REILLY: Have I got the wrong Bills?

Mrs Carnell: No; there are actually six Bills, rather than three. It is all right; it just means we will not have to debate them later. We can deal with six Bills cognately.

MS REILLY: It could be a new experience for the Assembly to do six Bills.

Mr Moore: We did four last week; we could take it up to six.

MS REILLY: If I have wandered into another area, I will stop at this time. Obviously, Labor has no objection to this Bill.

MR MOORE (11.50): Mr Speaker, these are quite sensible pieces of legislation which I am happy to support. I will make the comment, though, that there are two main issues associated with these Bills. The first one is about age, and that is in the Bills we are dealing with at the moment. They just bring this more into line with what happens in other legislation. I will get onto the other matters when we debate the other Bills. I am happy to support these.

MRS CARNELL (Chief Minister and Minister for Health and Community Care) (11.51), in reply: I thank members for their support for this Bill. I think we would all agree that just because people reach the age of 65 it does not in any way limit their capacity to input into the community or into health professions boards. I am very pleased that this legislation will go forward.

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