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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 8 Hansard (29 August) . . Page.. 2520 ..
MR HUMPHRIES (continuing):
a purpose related to his or her position as an MLA, need not be reported. In the case of independent MLAs, this means that all personal income, such as salary and income from shares and property, needs to be disclosed in their annual return.
As the Electoral Act stands, only independent MLAs are required to disclose personal income. Party MLAs are not required to disclose these details. This situation is inequitable and outside the intended scope of the legislation. This bill is intended to bring the disclosure of obligations of independent MLAs more in line with those imposed on registered political parties. The bill will alter the requirements for independent MLAs' annual returns for the 1999-2000 financial year, which are due for lodgment by 23 October 2000. Much as I would like to be able to peruse the details of members' personal affairs, I think that is out of the scope of appropriate electoral legislation. I therefore commend the bill to the house.
Debate (on motion by Mr Quinlan ) adjourned.
Mr Moore , by leave, presented the bill and its explanatory memorandum.
Title read by Clerk.
MR MOORE (Minister for Health and Community Care) (12.05): I move:
That this bill be agreed to in principle.
This bill amends the Poisons and Drugs Act 1978. The approach of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games has led to calls for stronger restrictions on anabolic steroids. Anabolic steroids are used as performance and image-enhancing drugs. Anabolic steroids are hormones and include, or are derivatives of, testosterone. They help to build muscle and assist athletes in recovery from training and injury. Testosterone is found naturally in large amounts in males and in smaller amounts in females.
Anabolic steroids are legally available only on prescription, and some are specifically intended for veterinary use only. Widespread illicit anabolic steroid use by athletes to improve performance and by non-sport users such as bodybuilders to alter physique has been widely reported. There are substantial difficulties in estimating the extent of illicit use of anabolic steroids in Australia. However, data from a variety of sources suggest that such use is increasing.
Most users report both positive and negative side effects of anabolic steroid use, the majority of which are reversible on cessation of use. The serious health risks involved in the use of anabolic steroids are now well recognised. Although the level of serious adverse effects of anabolic steroids among users is remarkably low, these effects should not be trivialised. The short-term effects include acne, hair loss, changes in breast tissue and genitalia, sterility, nausea and mood changes, including aggression. Long-term effects can include cancer, heart disease, liver disease and bone pain.
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