11th Oct 2016, 6:04 PM – Representatives National Cancer Screening Register Bill 2016 and another - Consideration in Detail - Privatisation

The majority voted against amendments introduced by Labor MP Catherine King, which means they were unsuccessful.

What are these amendments all about?

MP King explained the reasons for the amendments:

These are very important amendments. They go to the heart of Labor's concerns with the National Cancer Screening Register Bill 2016. This is a very serious debate we are having here in this chamber this evening. This is a debate about not only who will hold some of the most sensitive health information but the future possibilities of the private, for-profit sector in the health space ...

... The amendments I have moved very strongly say that we do not believe that we should have a for-profit company running this register. I want to make it very clear that we will be moving these amendments in the Senate as well. These are amendments that I believe the House should support because if we do not it is the thin end of the wedge when it comes to this government privatising our Medicare system.

Learn more about the bills

The two bills under discussion are the:

• National Cancer Screening Register Bill 2016
• National Cancer Screening Register (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2016

Together, they create a National Cancer Screening Register. Read more about them in the bills digest.

Motion text

(1) Clause 26, page 22 (line 16), omit "The Minister", substitute "(1) The Minister".

(2) Clause 26, page 22 (lines 16 and 17), omit "a person", substitute "a permitted entity".

(3) Clause 26, page 22 (line 20), at the end of the clause, add:

(3) In this section:

permitted entity means:

(a) a Department of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory; or

(b) a body (whether incorporated or unincorporated) established for a public purpose by a law of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory; or

(c) a person in the service or employment of a Department mentioned in paragraph (a) or a body mentioned in paragraph (b); or

(d) a person who holds or performs the duties of an office or position established by or under a law of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory; or

(e) an entity (whether incorporated or unincorporated) established for a charitable purpose.

(4) This section has no effect to the extent (if any) to which its operation would result in the acquisition of property (within the meaning of paragraph 51(xxxi) of the Constitution) otherwise than on just terms (within the meaning of that paragraph).