Debates Day 3 - Thursday 21 October 2010
Parliamentary Record 15
Debates for 11th Assembly 2008 - 2012; ParliamentNT; Parliamentary Record; 11th Assembly 2008 - 2012
2010-10-21
Made available by the Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory
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Debates
Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory
Darwin
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Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory
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DEBATES - Thursday 21 October 2010 Australia behind a huge group of family there must have been hundreds of people there with the church in the background. It was a beautiful day. The family wearing the black and green, the caterpillar motifs, the sound of women grieving in the background, wailing, and from the church, the most magnificent singing, in Arrernte, of the great hymn, Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah, one of my favourite hymns - it was a wonderful send off for Mr Williams. I ask all members to signify their assent to the motion by standing in silence. Motion agreed to. Members stood and observed one minutes silence as a mark of respect. Madam SPEAKER: Thank you, honourable members. I thank all members for their contributions to this motion and invite family, friends, and interested members to join the family in the Main Hall for some refreshments. LEAVE OF ABSENCE Member for Macdonnell Ms ANDERSON (Macdonnell): Madam Speaker, I move that the member for Macdonnell be granted leave of absence for 26 to 28 October 2010 due to attendance at the anniversary of the hand back of Uluru and associated programs. Leave granted. LEAVE OF ABSENCE Member for Karama Dr BURNS (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I move that the Treasurer, Ms Lawrie, be granted leave of absence for this day to attend to government business interstate. Leave granted. TABLED PAPER Pairs Arrangements Member for Karama and Member for Drysdale Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I have before me a document relating to pairs for the entire sitting day today for the member for Karama and the member for Drysdale. It is signed by the government Whip and the opposition Whip. I table that document. HUMAN TISSUE TRANSPLANT AMENDMENT BILL (Serial 127) Bill presented and read a first time. Mr VATSKALIS (Health): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a second time. The primary purpose of this bill is to amend the Human Tissue Transplant Act to allow for anatomical examination for the purpose of study and teaching of the anatomy of the human body. In considering the additional requirements for the act, an administrative review of the Human Tissue Transplant Act provides an opportunity to update the act to contemporary standards. A series of amendments has been included to update the language around human tissue transplant matters into contemporary legislative wording without changing existing intent or purpose, and aligning the numbering and penalties with current legislative drafting practices. The explanatory statement demonstrates in many cases the new wording provides clarity of the original intent and effect of the existing act; for example, with issues of consent. Reference has been included to update the act with relevant contemporary legislation and definitions such as the Health Practitioners Act. Transition arrangements have been included. The amendment bill will ensure legislation will be in place to support the new Northern Territory medical program when it commences in the academic year in 2011. Provisions in the amendments allow anatomical examination for the purpose of studying and teaching the anatomy of the human body, and the inspection and establishment of schools of anatomy supported by a code of conduct. The amendments will enable appropriate transportation of human specimens or cadavers. I wish to highlight at the outset that the Northern Territory is not creating a body donation program for the study of anatomy. Due to the Territorys small population and cultural sensitivities, it was considered inappropriate to utilise local donations. During the drafting of the legislation, consultation occurred with senior management medical representatives and the Flinders University Indigenous Reference Group. The groups membership includes representation from Territory Indigenous cultural groups, and some of the members provide pastoral support for students of the Northern Territory medical program. I am advised the cadavers will be obtained from established body donation programs in other jurisdictions to respect local sensitivities and 6498