Therapeutic Goods Bill 2019

Supported the bill as it reduces duplication between state and Commonwealth regulatory frameworks while maintaining appropriate safeguards.

“Crucially, these reforms will go towards reducing the duplication between state and Commonwealth regulatory frameworks whilst, importantly, maintaining appropriate safeguards.”— 2019-09-17View Hansard

As Health Minister, moved the second reading for both bills, describing them as the result of a comprehensive review ensuring the regulatory framework is contemporary and fit for purpose.

“These new bills will ensure that our legislative framework is contemporary and fit for purpose. I commend the bills to the House.”— 2019-09-04View Hansard

Supported the bill as part of the broader medicines and poisons reform package.

“Today I rise to speak in support of the Medicines and Poisons Bill 2019 and the Therapeutic Goods Bill 2019 in this cognate debate.”— 2019-09-17View Hansard

Did not oppose the bills but raised significant concerns about implementation issues identified by stakeholders, particularly regarding the Medicines and Poisons Bill, and real-time prescription monitoring for medicinal cannabis.

“I look forward to monitoring the minister's response to the implementation issues as raised by stakeholders on the Medicines and Poisons Bill.”— 2019-09-04View Hansard

Supported the bill as it ensures nationwide regulatory controls and consistency for Queensland-based manufacturers of therapeutic goods.

“That will ensure that Queenslanders feel safe in using therapeutic goods, giving them the opportunity to have confidence that what they are purchasing has been approved.”— 2019-09-17View Hansard

Supported both bills, sharing personal stories of people whose quality of life could be improved by the enacted legislation.

“I think about all of those people whose lives will be or could have been improved enormously by the enactment of this bill.”— 2019-09-04View Hansard

Supported the adoption of the Commonwealth Therapeutic Goods Act to enhance national consistency and reduce regulatory burden while protecting community health and safety.

“The purpose of the Therapeutic Goods Bill 2019 is to adopt the Commonwealth Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 as Queensland law and this will enhance national consistency in the regulation of therapeutic goods.”— 2019-09-17View Hansard

Commended the bills to the House while criticising the government for not adopting the Commonwealth therapeutic goods framework sooner.

“By adopting the Commonwealth act some time ago, this ridiculous position would never have arisen. That should have been undertaken by this government well and truly before the debate on that bill took place.”— 2019-09-04View Hansard

Will not oppose the bill as it offers a reasonable starting point for modernising regulations, but describes the bills as far from perfect.

“Ultimately, these bills offer a practical and reasonable starting point. They are far from perfect and we should now know to expect that standard from this Labor government.”— 2019-09-17View Hansard

Supported the Medicines and Poisons Bill, focusing on its provisions for medicinal cannabis access for epilepsy patients.

“Medicinal cannabis will not cure their epilepsy, but it does give them some prospect of relief from this debilitating condition.”— 2019-09-04View Hansard

Supported the adoption of the Commonwealth Therapeutic Goods Act as it will reduce unnecessary regulatory burden by removing the need for separate state manufacturing, advertising, labelling and packaging requirements.

“Adoption of the Commonwealth act aims to remove the need for separate manufacturing, advertising, labelling and packaging requirements which seems to make sense to me and will reduce unnecessary regulatory burden.”— 2019-09-17View Hansard

Commended the bills, discussing the scourge of addiction and supporting greater alignment with the national legislative framework for drug regulation.

“As part of these changes, the Queensland parliament will retain its authority over matters subject to Commonwealth law. In summary, I commend the bills to the House.”— 2019-09-04View Hansard

Commended the bills, focusing on the importance of treating opioid misuse seriously given the statistics and personal stories of those affected.

“This bill will ensure that we treat opioids with the seriousness they deserve.”— 2019-09-04View Hansard

Commended the bills while discussing the ice epidemic and the need for greater drug and alcohol rehabilitation centres.

“I commend the bills to the House.”— 2019-09-04View Hansard

Supported both bills as good legislation for Queensland that would ensure all therapeutic goods are manufactured to high standards.

“This is a good bill for Queensland. This is a good bill introduced by the Minister for Health and Minister for Ambulance Services.”— 2019-09-04View Hansard

Did not oppose the bills but urged caution about publication of poisons information on private rural properties given the rise in illegal protests and activist trespass.

“While Queensland Health has advised about discretion available from the chief executive, I urge extreme caution about the publication of poisons on private rural properties. I do not oppose the bill.”— 2019-09-04View Hansard

Supported the bills as centrally important to nurses, doctors, pharmacists and patients, focusing on the competencies and accountabilities required for professional staff.

“This legislation is centrally important to nurses, to doctors and to pharmacists, but most important of all it is particularly important to the patients whom we care for.”— 2019-09-04View Hansard