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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 2 Hansard (21 May) . . Page.. 454 ..

MR SMYTH (continuing):

For these reasons, the proposed amendment will sunset on 31 December 1998. The sunset will, I believe, militate against any issues that might arise in regard to the competition principles agreement that might affect the competition payments. The timeframe should also satisfy the ACCC that the Territory is proceeding with appropriate haste and prudence. By that time, the Government will have received the review's report and we will have a clearer idea about how the industry is to be regulated in the future.

Mr Speaker, although, as I have explained, there are some risks involved here, I believe they are minimal. The option of doing nothing may expose the authority and its officers and members to considerable risk of civil actions and fines. What increases my comfort in proposing these amendments is that we are not alone in following this course of action. South Australia, Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales have all found themselves in this situation and have put the necessary authorisations in place until such time as their review processes are complete. I commend the Milk Authority (Amendment) Bill 1998 to the Assembly.

Debate (on motion by Mr Hargreaves) adjourned.

HEALTH PROMOTION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1998

MR MOORE (Minister for Health and Community Care) (10.51): Mr Speaker, I present the Health Promotion (Amendment) Bill 1998, together with its explanatory memorandum.

Title read by Clerk.

MR MOORE: I move:

That this Bill be agreed to in principle.

This Bill seeks to amend the Health Promotion Act so that the funds advanced to the Health Promotion Board from 1 July 1998 are based on the 1997-98 level of funding, adjusted for upward movement in the consumer price index. This amendment will provide for an adequate level of funding for health promotion and education following the High Court's decision that resulted in the Territory no longer collecting tobacco franchise fees. The current legislation relies upon the collection of tobacco franchise fees for the calculation of funding levels for the board. Mr Speaker, the Bill in no way changes the Government's commitment to health promotion as a prime strategy for increasing the health and wellbeing of the Canberra community.

Debate (on motion by Mr Stanhope) adjourned.

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