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Delivering a Healthy WA

New Public Health Act for WA

  

Background Information


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On 28 April 2009 Cabinet approved final drafting of the Public Health Bill

This process does not require any further public consultation due to the extensive consultation already undertaken since 2005 on the Discussion Paper and the draft Bill in 2008

This part of the process involves drafting extensive consequential and transitional amendments

After extensive consultation and development, a draft new Public Health Bill has progressed to a stage where drafting is nearing completion.  The development process has included the following:

 

  • The release of A New Public Health Act for Western Australia: a Discussion Paper in June 2005.  The Discussion Paper proposed to replace the core public health provisions of the Health Act with a risk based approach to protect and promote public health, which was to be administered by the State government and local government.

 

  • Extensive consultation on the Discussion Paper throughout Western Australia between July and November 2005.

 

·        Workshops conducted with local government throughout regional and metropolitan area in collaboration with the Western Australian Local Government Association (“WALGA”).

 

·        The Department also consulted with government agencies including: Aboriginal Lands Trust, Department of Indigenous Affairs, Fire and Emergency Services Authority, Environmental Protection Authority, Department of Environment as well as the Health Consumers Council

 

  • Fifty seven (57) submissions were received in response to the Discussion Paper and two reports were produced on the workshops.  These indicated support for a new Public Health Act based on the principles and approach outlined in the Discussion Paper.

 

  • Public consultation on a draft Public Health Bill was undertaken between February and May 2008, including presentations in the regional areas of Kalgoorlie, Margaret River, Karratha and Broome, as well as in the Perth metropolitan area.

 

  • Amendments to the Bill were drafted in response to issues raised during consultation on the draft Bill.

 

  • In 2008 3 months consultation on a Draft Public Health Bill was carried out.

    State-wide consultation open to the public was undertaken from 1 February-     30 April 2008 and included public seminars throughout the state.

    Approximately 80 submissions were received and the feedback from consultation and the submissions has informed the drafting of a penultimate draft of the Bill.