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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 8 Hansard (29 October) . . Page.. 2508 ..

MR STANHOPE (Leader of the Opposition) (5.30): As the Minister indicated, we did deal with this issue the other day. In that debate I did indicate that because the Government's response to the scrutiny of Bills committee report had been provided just that day or the day before I would welcome an opportunity for another look at the matter. I acknowledge the readiness with which the Minister agreed that the matter be adjourned to today. I will not repeat the issues I raised then.

I believe this is a good piece of legislation. I think it is only appropriate that the quality assurance standard that applies to the public health system apply to the private health sector. I did mention some issues raised by the scrutiny of Bills committee. The Minister, in his amendments, does address one issue raised by the committee. I asked the Minister why he chose to address the fourth of the issues raised and not the other three. The Minister's response, which I accept, is that these are matters for judgment and that, as in so many things we do, we must balance individual rights against, in some instances, a perceived greater good.

I accept, and the Labor Party accepts, that the health outcomes potentially available as a result of the extension of quality assurance committees to the private sector do perhaps justify the lessening of some of the rights identified to the extent that they have been. I think these are issues that must always be monitored. I accept the judgment that the Minister has made. I do not take any great issue with it but would indicate that it is an issue that I think requires careful monitoring. Subject to that rider, the Labor Party is happy to support this legislation.

MS TUCKER (5.33): We are also happy to support this Bill to ensure quality in all sectors of the health system.

Amendments agreed to.

Bill, as a whole, as amended, agreed to.

Bill, as amended, agreed to.

Debate resumed from 24 September 1998, on motion by Mr Smyth:

That this Bill be agreed to in principle.

MR SPEAKER: Is it the wish of the Assembly to debate this order of the day concurrently with the Building (Amendment) Bill (No. 2) 1998 and the Construction Practitioners Registration Bill 1998? There being no objection, that course will be followed. I remind members that in debating order of the day No. 3 they may also address their remarks to orders of the day Nos 4 and 5.

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