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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 3 Hansard (28 May) . . Page.. 712 ..

MR MOORE (Minister for Health and Community Care) (12.09), in reply: I thank members for their support. I think it is one of the areas which are highly unlikely to be reported in the media, the very reason being, of course, that it is an area in which we have general agreement in the Assembly. Healthpact has been delivering a fantastic service and, I am sure, will continue to do so under this regime. I would like to acknowledge what Ms Tucker was saying about the new approaches and the innovative approaches that have been taken by the board in this regard and emphasise for her that it is part of what I am hoping to see go right through health and the health community; that is, developing partnerships and an attitude to collaboration right across the sector. That will not be any surprise to Ms Tucker; we have discussed these sorts of things on many occasions. But it is something that the health promotion area, Healthpact, has been doing particularly well; and we ought to move on with it.

I will just use this opportunity to address something that Mr Rugendyke had to say in his previous speech. It is true that, in the health promotion area, we can help to address the sorts of social issues and cultural issues that he raises. I think it is something that we all share, even though we may have differences of opinion on how the laws should operate with reference to cannabis, heroin or whatever it is. Health promotion itself, I believe, is something that we would all agree means getting out there and making sure that we have a culture, in a sense, where such activities are not condoned. None of us want to condone that kind of activity by people, and this is the way we bring about the sorts of changes that we need. Members, I would like to thank you for your support for this legislation. I look forward to health promotion in this Territory contributing in a significant way to improved health and health outcomes for the people of Canberra.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Bill agreed to in principle.

Leave granted to dispense with the detail stage.

Bill agreed to.

Debate resumed from 21 May 1998, on motion by Ms Carnell:

That this Bill be agreed to in principle.

MR QUINLAN (12.11): Mr Speaker, we have no problem with this Bill. I have an informal assurance from the Chief Minister that we might look at indexing this interest rate at some future time, but at this stage there is no objection. We support the Bill.

MS CARNELL (Chief Minister and Treasurer) (12.12), in reply: I thank the Assembly for their support of this legislation, and I am certainly happy to work with Mr Quinlan on any future approaches he might like to take in this area. Thank you very much.

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