Page 791 - Week 03 - Thursday, 2 April 2020
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On the matter of these changes, I recognise that the intentions of the government are good, but I would stress that these powers should be used and exercised extremely judiciously. I ask that the opposition be consulted, should the need arise to make regulations under these powers, and that the legitimate needs of licence holders be carefully considered for those who do and have always done the right thing in this space. I note that these changes are subject to a sunset clause which expires either on the day the COVID-19 public health emergency, as declared, ends or, if the minister considers it justified, up to three months later.
I will speak to the changes to the Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Regulation. I note that the changes that are brought in by this bill in this space relate to particular medical substances that are required for certain conditions but which have, because of some public discussions, been taken by some individuals in the hope that they will help them either prevent an infection of COVID-19 or treat one. The way that they have been has not been appropriate. The medicine is needed for other reasons. It is needed for those with certain conditions, and I totally support the addition of these particular substances to the poisons and therapeutic goods regime.
Finally, I put on record my concern for police and emergency personnel and fire and rescue personnel who currently are not a part of the open ability to be tested for COVID-19. I believe that the government is watching out for community transmission. I believe that when community transmission occurs it will ultimately be picked up by people turning up at hospital, medical centres and the like. However, my concern is that, during the period between which community transmission begins and the period in which community transmission is officially picked up, there is the possibility for the infection of police officers and fire and rescue personnel who are out in our community. If that were to occur and if they were to go back into their workplaces and unknowingly infect other people we could have a serious result for those of our uniformed personnel who serve us on the front line. I strongly recommend that the government consider going ahead of the national scheme and allowing open testing for those personnel, because we must maintain their presence on the ground and their ability to do their job during these unprecedented times.
MR RATTENBURY (Kurrajong—Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability, Minister for Corrections and Justice Health, Minister for Justice, Consumer Affairs and Road Safety and Minister for Mental Health) (3.39): The Greens will be supporting the COVID-19 Emergency Response Bill. We acknowledge we are currently living in an extraordinary time that has resulted in significant disruption to people’s everyday lives and to the normal operations of society. The COVID pandemic has revealed a range of processes that need to be altered to allow the government to appropriately respond. This legislation will allow for a range of additional protections to be put in place, largely to help prevent the virus spreading and to protect the health of people in our community.
Normally, of course, we would go through a lengthy process of tabling, consideration, consultation and debate before passing legislation such as this. I want to acknowledge to civil society and our broader community that, unfortunately, this is simply not possible at this time due to these measures being an urgent response to the global
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