Debates Day 3 - Thursday 21 October 1993
Parliamentary Record 21
Debates for 6th Assembly 1990 - 1994; ParliamentNT; Parliamentary Record; 6th Assembly 1990 - 1994
1993-10-21
Made available by the Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory
English
Debates
Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory
Darwin
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Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory
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https://hdl.handle.net/10070/279555
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/418727
DEBATES - Thursday 21 October 1993 introduce a new Veterinarians Bill that encompasses new ideas, and methods and procedures that are required. This Veterinarians Bill provides for the registration of veterinarians and veterinary specialists in the Northern Territory and takes full recognition of the mutual recognition principles in this process. These principles free up restrictions on professionals moving within Australia, and have been approved by legislation by the Commonwealth and all jurisdictions, including the Northern Territory but with the exception of Western Australia. The bill also allows flexibility in the sanctions available to the Veterinarians Board in regulating the veterinary profession in the Northern Territory. At present, some 240 veterinarians are registered in the Territory, about 50 of whom are actively practising. Representation on the Veterinarians Board has been expanded by one member and provision made for users of veterinary services to be represented. The president of the board will be the Chief Inspector of Stock, a senior public servant who is able to provide administrative support for the board, and 2 members of the board must be registered veterinarians to allow the board to have the expertise required to make decisions on the registration and regulation of this profession which is of vital importance to primary industry in the Northern Territory. The functions of the board include: promoting of high standards of professional conduct; determining applications for registration; exercising disciplinary and investigative powers; issuing guidelines for professional standards to be upheld; raising public awareness of the board and its functions; giving evidence concerning professional conduct; prosecuting offences and other functions as the minister see fit. The board is assisted in its work by the Registrar who maintains the Veterinary Register. The Registrar administers the issue, amendment and return of certificates of registration. The Registrar assists the board also with recording the decisions of the board and with notation of the register. The register will be available to the public. Mutual recognition principles in relation to employment are integrated in this bill. This process is endorsed by this government and will assist in making Australia an open market, not only for products but also for qualified professional people. A person may seek to have the Northern Territory as their first 'home' registration or may seek registration in the Northern Territory after achieving registration as a veterinarian in another state or territory. When registration is first made in the Northern Territory, the Veterinarians Board will make all necessary inquiries concerning qualifications and the applicant's compliance with registration requirements. Where a person already has been given registration in another jurisdiction, the board will give equivalent registration here. Where veterinarians have their registration suspended, cancelled or limited in another jurisdiction, the board shall take similar action in relation to the Northern Territory registration. The board may annul a suspension or cancellation of registration. A new facet in the bill is that a person may seek registration as a specialist in a particular field of veterinary science or practice. This will allow for recognition of added professional qualifications and expertise within the veterinary profession. It is envisaged that this additional recognition will encourage more veterinarians to engage in further study and thus enhance the expertise available within the Northern Territory. If a person wishes to be registered as a veterinary specialist and is not registered as such in another jurisdiction, the board will forward the application to the National Advisory Committee for its recommendations. The board may accept or reject the committee's recommendations on the application. 10 189