WE THE UNDERSIGNED RESPECTFULLY SHOWETH

We the undersigned are opposed to the passing of the Public and Environmental Health Legislation Amendment Bill 2022 (‘the Bill’), introduced to NT parliament on 23 March 2022 by Minister for Health, Ms Natasha Fyles. 

The proposed amendments of the CHO’s powers, as articulated in Division 2A of the Bill, are a gross overreach and go well beyond the scope of purpose the original legislation was implemented for.  This purpose of the legislation is evidenced in the second reading speech of 2013. 

The new amendments go over and above what could reasonably be considered health recommendations, and this is made clear in section 57G of the Bill which grants the CHO unfettered power to enter a Territorian’s place of residence without a warrant. 

The CHO has the ability to make health recommendations as he or she deem appropriate with very little to zero reporting requirements or review mechanisms for a lengthy period of two years, effectively leaving Territorians in the dark.   

As articulated in the British Medical Journal, ‘Transparency is the key to building trust and an important route to answering people’s legitimate questions about the efficacy and safety of vaccines and treatments and the clinical and public health policies established for their use’. 

YOUR PETITIONERS THEREFORE HUMBLY PRAY THAT

The Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory opposes the passing of the Public and Environmental Health Legislation Amendment Bill 2022 in its entirety.