Jan McLucas (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Aged Care, Disabilities and Carers) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I wish to indicate that the Labor Party will support the passage of the National Health Amendment (Immunisation) Bill 2006. The reason we are dealing with this matter is that there was an error in the drafting of the National Health Amendment (Immunisation Program) Act 2005 which particularly affected the operation and delivery of a number of vaccines. It was particularly concerning to me in North Queensland and for people associated with the cattle industry and the delivery of the Q-Vax, so we are pleased to support it. Let us make sure that we have a good look next time so that we do not end up here again.

Richard Colbeck (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance and Administration) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The National Health Amendment (Immunisation) Bill 2006 amends the National Health Act 1953 to enable the Minister for Health and Ageing to arrange for the provision of goods and services such as Q fever skin tests and five per cent incentive payments to states and territories that are associated with or incidental to the provision or administration of designated vaccines. In summary, this amendment will ensure that such goods and services can continue to be funded by the Australian government under the act. I commend the bill to the Senate.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.