Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

I move Greens amendment (2) on sheet 5246:

(2)    Schedule 1, page 6 (after line 2), after item 11, insert:

11B  Subsection 3(1)

Insert:

public health is the organised response by society to minimise illness, injury and disability and to protect and promote health. It recognises that health and health care occur in an economic and socio-cultural system both nationally and internationally, and therefore seeks to influence all sectors to maximise the health and wellbeing of society. The precautionary principle should be applied in relation to all public health outcomes considered under this Act.

This relates to public health. I outlined the reasons why we believe this is essential in my speech in the second reading debate. I just want to remind people that the objective of the act is clearly the protection of public health and safety, but we believe that the act does not adequately define what public health is. We therefore seek to define it. The report of the Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs did make comment on the lack of clarity around public health. I was hoping that the government would seek to further clarify that definition.

I also note that the Australian Medical Association raised the issue of public health. In fact, it recommended that a better definition be included in the act. In its submission to the committee it also had quite a lengthy definition on the precautionary principle and how it should be applied. I did not think it was practical to enclose such a lengthy definition of the precautionary principle, so I narrowed it down somewhat. I think that a definition of this nature in the act would make the issue around public health and safety clearer. Again, I commend this amendment to the chamber.