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

I was talking about the Greens’ position on the Australian National Preventive Health Agency Bill 2009 and the establishment of this agency. At the time, I think, I was outlining the Greens’ concerns about the bill and why we thought it was important that amendments were made. As I was articulating yesterday, we believe this is a significant step forward. However, I must admit that I am doubtful as to the government’s commitment to this agency, as to whether they actually want it to succeed and whether they actually want to get it through this chamber.

To date we have had what I would say are fairly lukewarm discussions with the government about this bill. We have not, we think, made excessive claims or requests; we have genuinely been negotiating for a successful outcome, and I am exceedingly disappointed that the government have not, I think, participated in those discussions in a meaningful way. I am exceedingly disappointed with some of the feedback that the Greens have been getting, and I think the government think that we will vote for this bill regardless of how they negotiate with other parties. I tell the government that they are wrong and that we will not be supporting this if they do not negotiate with us in good faith. They cannot assume that they can do what they like to the Greens and that we will support this bill.

We are very genuine in our attempts to pursue good health outcomes for this country, but we will not be treated in the way that this government thinks it is acceptable to treat the Greens. The message to the government is that we will not be voting for this bill unless the government negotiates with us in a meaningful manner on the outcomes that we think are appropriate and the amendments that we have put up in good faith. When we negotiate with the government, we expect it to stick to the promises that it has made and not go back on them. As I said, the message is: do not expect that we will be voting for this bill if the government does not engage with us in a meaningful way. The government needs the Greens, Senator Xenophon and Senator Fielding to get this bill through if it does not have the coalition. I ask the government to bear that in mind. We have put up amendments in very good faith. We have put up amendments to include alcohol in the range of issues that the agency deals with to amend objectives and to put some more independence in the authority. (Time expired)