Senate debates

Thursday, 18 March 2010

Notices

Presentation

Senator Fierravanti-Wells to move on the next day of sitting:

That the Senate—
(a)
notes that:
(i)
the Senate disallowed three therapeutic groups established by determination of the delegate of the Minister for Health and Ageing in January 2010, with the objective of ensuring a full Senate inquiry currently being conducted by the Community Affairs References Committee was complete and had reported to the Senate prior to these  measures being implemented,
(ii)
the Minister for Health and Ageing failed to:
(a)
adequately consult with relevant stakeholders outside the Government and therefore has not taken into account the impact of these measures, particularly on patients and the clinical justification for the creation of new therapeutic groups on the basis of ‘interchangeability at the patient level’, and
(b)
provide adequate justification, other than a need to provide budget savings, for these measures,
(iii)
the Government has failed to recognise the need to ensure doctors and patients and other stakeholders require information regarding the implementation of these measures,
(iv)
the attempt by the Government to usurp the role of the Senate in inquiring into measures prior to their implementation by ignoring the referral of these matters to the Community Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report by 30 June 2010, and
(v)
the need for the Senate to fully understand all issues relating to the formation of these therapeutic groups to ensure the inquiry by the Community Affairs References Committee is completely informed of all information; and
(b)
orders that there be laid on the table by 12 pm on Wednesday, 12 May 2010, any documents, records, advice or other information received, compiled, requested or commissioned by the Minister for Health and Ageing, the Department of Health and Ageing and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee and its subcommittees relating to the determination and establishment of new therapeutic groups under the National Health Act 1953 since 1 July 2007, including issues pertaining to interchangeability of medicines and products with such groups.

Senator Bob Brown to move on the next day of sitting:

That the Senate notes the resolution put to the United States of America’s House of Representatives on 10 March 2010:

removal of united states armed forces from afghanistan

Pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1544(c)), Congress directs the President to remove the United States Armed Forces from Afghanistan—

(1)
by no later than the end of the period of 30 days beginning on the day on which this concurrent resolution is adopted; or
(2)
if the President determines that it is not safe to remove the United States Armed Forces before the end of that period, by no later than December 31, 2010, or such earlier date as the President determines that the Armed Forces can safely be removed.

Senator Bob Brown to move on the next day of sitting:

That the Senate calls on the Government to uphold the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 in the Millewa Forest by immediately stopping red gum logging.