❓ Mr. Cook questions the Minister for Health on the delay in banning tanning beds in WA, highlighting that it will be the only state without a ban. The Minister defends the delay, citing the need for a government decision and consideration of affected businesses, while advocating for a national approach.
AnsweredQoN 697Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
TANNING
BEDS
697. Mr R.H. COOK to the
Minister for Health:
I refer to the fact that on 1 January
2015, Western Australia will be the only state in Australia that has not banned
tanning beds, and to comments by the Australian Medical Association last week
that the minister's failure to act on the ban showed a lack of
leadership that is inexcusable. Why is he failing to act and provide leadership
on this important health issue, putting private interests ahead of public good?
BEDS
697. Mr R.H. COOK to the
Minister for Health:
I refer to the fact that on 1 January
2015, Western Australia will be the only state in Australia that has not banned
tanning beds, and to comments by the Australian Medical Association last week
that the minister's failure to act on the ban showed a lack of
leadership that is inexcusable. Why is he failing to act and provide leadership
on this important health issue, putting private interests ahead of public good?
AnswerView source ↗
I am glad to have the opportunity to
answer this question and to make clear to some who might be in the gallery that
if the system were as simple as the minister banning solaria in this state, it
would have occurred a long time ago. But it is not that simple. This requires a
government decision, not a ministerial decision; it has to go through the
process of being put to government. Some concerns have been expressed by
members of our party, particularly about individuals and how they may be
affected. We have to remember a couple of things. Firstly, this was a legal procedure.
It was legal for the entire time of the previous Labor government. The risk of
developing cancer from tanning beds has not changed over the past 10 years. It
existed for the entire seven years of the previous Labor government. Why did
members opposite not do something about it when they were in government?
Mr
P. Papalia interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro!
Opposition members: We did!
Dr
K.D. HAMES : They did not.
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Right!
Dr K.D. HAMES :
Members opposite did do something; they brought in the changes that are in
existence now. Those changes put much greater restriction on people using
tanning beds. It was a good move on their part, but they could have banned
tanning beds. They could have done exactly what they are calling on me to do
now; they could have banned tanning beds when they made those changes, but they
chose not to do that. I do not know why they chose not to.
Several members interjected.
Dr K.D. HAMES : It
does not matter. The risk of developing cancer from tanning beds has been there
for 20 years; it did not suddenly start six years ago when we came to
government.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Fremantle, I call you to order for the first time and you, member
for Willagee, for the first time.
Dr K.D. HAMES :
This is a legal thing and people choose to have that treatment. I am in favour
of banning tanning beds, but I will go through the proper process and look at
those things. I think it has been good for us to wait, because there are
variations in what the different states have done. Some states bought back the
tanning beds, but people can buy them and use them at home privately; those
states have not stopped that. Some states provided compensation but some did
not. The fair thing to do for those people who are operating legitimately is to
put together a package that buys back the tanning beds Australia-wide and stops
the importation of tanning beds into Australia. There is a ministerial
conference coming up and I will raise it with the other ministers. We would
like tanning beds to be banned Australia-wide. We will work out how to best
look after the interests of —
Several members interjected.
Dr K.D. HAMES :
Members opposite do not give a stuff about private enterprise.
Mr D.J. Kelly interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Bassendean, I call you to order for the first time. Can you wind
this up, minister.
Dr K.D. HAMES : A
business that is legitimately operating would be severely financially impacted
by this, so we will try to find a way to mitigate the impact on that business.
I am still very strongly supportive of this, but I will go through the proper
process.
answer this question and to make clear to some who might be in the gallery that
if the system were as simple as the minister banning solaria in this state, it
would have occurred a long time ago. But it is not that simple. This requires a
government decision, not a ministerial decision; it has to go through the
process of being put to government. Some concerns have been expressed by
members of our party, particularly about individuals and how they may be
affected. We have to remember a couple of things. Firstly, this was a legal procedure.
It was legal for the entire time of the previous Labor government. The risk of
developing cancer from tanning beds has not changed over the past 10 years. It
existed for the entire seven years of the previous Labor government. Why did
members opposite not do something about it when they were in government?
Mr
P. Papalia interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro!
Opposition members: We did!
Dr
K.D. HAMES : They did not.
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Right!
Dr K.D. HAMES :
Members opposite did do something; they brought in the changes that are in
existence now. Those changes put much greater restriction on people using
tanning beds. It was a good move on their part, but they could have banned
tanning beds. They could have done exactly what they are calling on me to do
now; they could have banned tanning beds when they made those changes, but they
chose not to do that. I do not know why they chose not to.
Several members interjected.
Dr K.D. HAMES : It
does not matter. The risk of developing cancer from tanning beds has been there
for 20 years; it did not suddenly start six years ago when we came to
government.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Fremantle, I call you to order for the first time and you, member
for Willagee, for the first time.
Dr K.D. HAMES :
This is a legal thing and people choose to have that treatment. I am in favour
of banning tanning beds, but I will go through the proper process and look at
those things. I think it has been good for us to wait, because there are
variations in what the different states have done. Some states bought back the
tanning beds, but people can buy them and use them at home privately; those
states have not stopped that. Some states provided compensation but some did
not. The fair thing to do for those people who are operating legitimately is to
put together a package that buys back the tanning beds Australia-wide and stops
the importation of tanning beds into Australia. There is a ministerial
conference coming up and I will raise it with the other ministers. We would
like tanning beds to be banned Australia-wide. We will work out how to best
look after the interests of —
Several members interjected.
Dr K.D. HAMES :
Members opposite do not give a stuff about private enterprise.
Mr D.J. Kelly interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Bassendean, I call you to order for the first time. Can you wind
this up, minister.
Dr K.D. HAMES : A
business that is legitimately operating would be severely financially impacted
by this, so we will try to find a way to mitigate the impact on that business.
I am still very strongly supportive of this, but I will go through the proper
process.
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