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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 4 Hansard (22 April) . . Page.. 1269 ..
(4) Were the minutes referred to above provided to the then ACT Minister for Health, if no why not.
(4) No. Ministers are not usually provided with Minutes of all meetings attended by officials, but rather are given briefings on specific issues where considered necessary.
In relation to Hepatitis C, the reference in 1995 was to the work being undertaken by the Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, as it was understood that the Australian Red Cross was undertaking all action in regard to these matters. It was considered at the time that these matters were being dealt with competently between Commonwealth and State officials and not requiring ministerial intervention.
The AHMAC agenda item in 1997 was about indemnity arrangements for the Red Cross, including arrangements for nationally uniform statutory defence, risk management, and funding and management issues. The spread of Hepatitis C through the blood supply was not regarded by 1997 as a major existing or emerging threat.
(5) What was the "progress and issues arising from the Blood Transfusions Services Lookback policies concerning Hepatitis C" referred to in the minutes of 25 October 1995.
(5) The progress and issues arising from the Blood Transfusions Services Lookback policies concerning Hepatitis C referred to in the minutes of 25 October 1995 were that several writs had been served to the Red Cross concerning Hepatitis C Virus contaminated blood issues. It noted that the national Hepatitis C lookback was proceeding smoothly although the need for more funding from the Commonwealth was identified as an issue. At this time the national Hepatitis C lookback was a program whereby all Red Cross transfusion services undertook to identify potentially contaminated units of blood and blood products.
An AHMAC sub-committee on blood and blood products was established to develop policy and consider funding arrangements for Australia's blood banking system. It was recommended that this sub-committee consider the issue of blood shield legislation to provide a more consistent approach throughout the country. This process was established to look forward on arrangements which should be put in place, not to look back.
Also the Australian Red Cross Society established a Working Party to address the issues surrounding the establishment of a National Blood Transfusion Service Board.
(6) Were the progress and issues of the lookback policies provided to the Advisory Committees as part of a written report.
(6) A written report, originating from the Commonwealth, was provided to AHMAC on the Implementation of the National Hepatitis C Action Plan. This report contained information on the progress and issues arising from the Blood Transfusion Services Lookback policies. The National Hepatitis C Action Plan was broad in its initiative and
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