❓ Mr. Cook questions the government's commitment to Aboriginal public health in relation to the Public Health Bill. Dr. Hames defends the government's record and argues the bill doesn't hinder their efforts, highlighting a disagreement on binding the Crown to environmental health aspects.
AnsweredQoN 716Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
PUBLIC HEALTH BILL
I have a supplementary question. We consider the issue of the public health of Aboriginal communities a top priority. Why does the government not? Dr K.D. HAMES
I have a supplementary question. We consider the issue of the public health of Aboriginal communities a top priority. Why does the government not? Dr K.D. HAMES
AnswerView source ↗
I think the two questions have nothing to do with each other. We certainly regard Aboriginal health as one of our highest priorities. That is the reason that, in conjunction with the Council of Australian Governments, we committed over $110 million in four years of government specifically on improving Aboriginal health and closing the gap. It is not only me through what we are doing in the health department who is working very hard to improve Aboriginal health and close the gap, but also people in a whole range of areas and portfolios. I am not aware that there are major changes within that public health bill that will reduce or have reduced our ability to address public health, but, as the member knows, we have both been a minister or shadow minister for Aboriginal affairs — Mr R.H. Cook : It will bind the Crown legally to the aspects of environmental health for those communities. Dr K.D. HAMES : It is a totally different issue whether we support the Crown being bound. That is an issue that I am sure we can have a very long discussion on.
Dr K.D. HAMES replied: I think the two questions have nothing to do with each other. We certainly regard Aboriginal health as one of our highest priorities. That is the reason that, in conjunction with the Council of Australian Governments, we committed over $110 million in four years of government specifically on improving Aboriginal health and closing the gap. It is not only me through what we are doing in the health department who is working very hard to improve Aboriginal health and close the gap, but also people in a whole range of areas and portfolios. I am not aware that there are major changes within that public health bill that will reduce or have reduced our ability to address public health, but, as the member knows, we have both been a minister or shadow minister for Aboriginal affairs — Mr R.H. Cook : It will bind the Crown legally to the aspects of environmental health for those communities. Dr K.D. HAMES : It is a totally different issue whether we support the Crown being bound. That is an issue that I am sure we can have a very long discussion on.
I think the two questions have nothing to do with each other. We certainly regard Aboriginal health as one of our highest priorities. That is the reason that, in conjunction with the Council of Australian Governments, we committed over $110 million in four years of government specifically on improving Aboriginal health and closing the gap. It is not only me through what we are doing in the health department who is working very hard to improve Aboriginal health and close the gap, but also people in a whole range of areas and portfolios. I am not aware that there are major changes within that public health bill that will reduce or have reduced our ability to address public health, but, as the member knows, we have both been a minister or shadow minister for Aboriginal affairs — Mr R.H. Cook : It will bind the Crown legally to the aspects of environmental health for those communities. Dr K.D. HAMES : It is a totally different issue whether we support the Crown being bound. That is an issue that I am sure we can have a very long discussion on.
Mr R.H. Cook : It will bind the Crown legally to the aspects of environmental health for those communities. Dr K.D. HAMES : It is a totally different issue whether we support the Crown being bound. That is an issue that I am sure we can have a very long discussion on.
Dr K.D. HAMES : It is a totally different issue whether we support the Crown being bound. That is an issue that I am sure we can have a very long discussion on.
Dr K.D. HAMES replied: I think the two questions have nothing to do with each other. We certainly regard Aboriginal health as one of our highest priorities. That is the reason that, in conjunction with the Council of Australian Governments, we committed over $110 million in four years of government specifically on improving Aboriginal health and closing the gap. It is not only me through what we are doing in the health department who is working very hard to improve Aboriginal health and close the gap, but also people in a whole range of areas and portfolios. I am not aware that there are major changes within that public health bill that will reduce or have reduced our ability to address public health, but, as the member knows, we have both been a minister or shadow minister for Aboriginal affairs — Mr R.H. Cook : It will bind the Crown legally to the aspects of environmental health for those communities. Dr K.D. HAMES : It is a totally different issue whether we support the Crown being bound. That is an issue that I am sure we can have a very long discussion on.
I think the two questions have nothing to do with each other. We certainly regard Aboriginal health as one of our highest priorities. That is the reason that, in conjunction with the Council of Australian Governments, we committed over $110 million in four years of government specifically on improving Aboriginal health and closing the gap. It is not only me through what we are doing in the health department who is working very hard to improve Aboriginal health and close the gap, but also people in a whole range of areas and portfolios. I am not aware that there are major changes within that public health bill that will reduce or have reduced our ability to address public health, but, as the member knows, we have both been a minister or shadow minister for Aboriginal affairs — Mr R.H. Cook : It will bind the Crown legally to the aspects of environmental health for those communities. Dr K.D. HAMES : It is a totally different issue whether we support the Crown being bound. That is an issue that I am sure we can have a very long discussion on.
Mr R.H. Cook : It will bind the Crown legally to the aspects of environmental health for those communities. Dr K.D. HAMES : It is a totally different issue whether we support the Crown being bound. That is an issue that I am sure we can have a very long discussion on.
Dr K.D. HAMES : It is a totally different issue whether we support the Crown being bound. That is an issue that I am sure we can have a very long discussion on.
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