Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 4 Hansard (25 June) . . Page.. 1109 ..

MR MOORE (continuing):

An issue requiring specific strategies is that of infection rates among indigenous communities. The national indigenous Australians' sexual health strategy identified an increasing rate of infection rather than the plateau achieved among the non-indigenous population. For developing responses the local indigenous community needs a mechanism which is based on community control. This document includes some specific strategies and actions designed to address this important area. This area will be further developed through the indigenous health strategic plan, which I will be announcing later this year.

To date, only limited resources have been provided to address HCV in the ACT, and significant gaps in service provision were identified through community consultations in 1997. A range of information resources have been produced to address transmission, treatment and care issues, and specialist services are provided by the Canberra Hospital. It is clear that HCV requires an intensified effort to ensure that it does not reach proportions which make it more difficult to manage in the longer term.

Mr Speaker, this plan is the outcome of consultation with a range of individuals and organisations. It has been developed in partnership with the ACT Sexual Health and Blood Borne Diseases Advisory Committee, which is chaired by Professor Peter Baume, AO. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Peter and all of those who contributed. The implementation of the plan will continue the partnership approach which has so far characterised this process. The strategic plan is intended to remain in place until the end of the year 2000. While the implementation plan also outlines timeframes for specific actions over the next three years, it will be an evolving document. Achievement of the actions will be monitored against the specified timelines and be reviewed annually. The Sexual Health and Blood Borne Diseases Advisory Committee will have a key role in this process. I also see the need for ongoing and detailed work with a range of government and non-government agencies as part of this process.

Mr Speaker, I would like to stress the importance of innovative work continuing in the area of blood-borne disease. The current HIV/HCV co-infection rates are estimated at less than 5 per cent nationally. This is very low compared to other developed countries and can be attributed to needle and syringe exchange programs and related policies. I therefore believe that the ACT should continue to lead the way in considering new approaches within the broader context of the Government's approach to illicit drug issues in order to minimise harm and to increase safety for both injecting drug users and society in general.

Mr Speaker, the second issue I would like to deal with is the repeal of the offence of self-administration of a prohibited substance. The ACT Government has previously announced that it would be introducing in the autumn sittings of the Legislative Assembly legislation to amend the Drugs of Dependence Act 1989 to repeal the offence of self-administration of a prohibited substance or drug of dependence. Considering that there are only a few minutes of the autumn sittings left, that is not going to happen, and I will explain why. In subsequent consultations, a number of significant issues have been raised about the proposal. These issues need to be addressed in a considered way. The ACT Government has therefore decided to delay the introduction of amending legislation until there has been an opportunity to consider the full implications.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .