Tuesday, 13 August 2024

Health Legislation Amendment (Regulatory Reform) Bill 2024

Introduction and first reading

Mary-Anne THOMAS (Macedon – Leader of the House, Minister for Health, Minister for Health Infrastructure, Minister for Ambulance Services) (12:08): I move:

That I introduce a bill for an act to amend the Assisted Reproductive Treatment Act 2008, the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981, the Health Services Act 1988, the Non-Emergency Patient Transport and First Aid Services Act 2003, the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008, the Radiation Act 2005 and the Safe Drinking Water Act 2003 in relation to regulatory and enforcement matters and to amend the Assisted Reproductive Treatment Act 2008, the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1996, the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981, the Epworth Foundation Act 1980, the Health Services Act ‍1988, the Human Tissue Act 1982, the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 and the Safe Drinking Water Act 2003 to make minor miscellaneous amendments and for other purposes.

Motion agreed to.

Emma KEALY (Lowan) (12:09): I ask the minister for a brief explanation of the bill.

Mary-Anne THOMAS (Macedon – Leader of the House, Minister for Health, Minister for Health Infrastructure, Minister for Ambulance Services) (12:09): This bill seeks to amend several health portfolio acts to modernise and streamline compliance and enforcement powers under those acts to support a graduated, proportionate and risk-based approach to regulation by the Secretary to the Department of Health. The bill also seeks to amend the Assisted Reproductive Treatment Act 2008 to dissolve the Victorian Assisted Reproductive Treatment Authority and to transfer regulatory functions to the secretary and management of donor conception registers to a new donor conception registrar. The bill also seeks to make other changes to improve regulation of assisted reproductive treatment, including changes recommended by the independent review of assisted reproductive treatment undertaken by Michael Gorton AM.

Read first time.

Ordered to be read second time tomorrow.