Australian Capital Territory

HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AMENDMENT REGULATION 2006 (No 4)

Explanatory Statement

Circulated with the authority of
Simon Corbell
Minister for Health

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Authority

This Regulation is authorised by section 134 of the Health Professionals Act 2004.

Outline

The amendments proposed in this Regulation are primarily to provide for the election of the new ACT Chiropractic and Osteopath Board. The election and appointment of board members must take place prior to the Schedule being completed.  

There are also some provisions regarding minor changes to the Medical Practitioner Schedule under the Health Professionals Regulations 2004. 

Revenue/Cost Implications

There is no additional cost involved in this Regulation.

Formal Clauses

Clause 1 – Name of Regulation – states the title of the Regulation, which is the Health Professionals Amendment Regulation 2006 (No 4).

Clause 2 – Commencement – states when the Regulation commences.  The Regulation will commence on a day fixed by the Minister by written notice. 

Clause 3 –Legislation amended – provides that this Regulation amends the Health Professionals Regulations 2004.

Clause 4 – Section 132 (2) (d) - omits the term ‘electoral commissioner’ and substitutes the term ‘commissioner for health complaints’ into Section 132 (2)(d)of the Health Professionals Regulations 2004 to correct a drafting error.

Clause 5 – Schedule 1, new items 12 and 13 - inserts two new items into schedule 1 of the Health Professionals Regulations 2004 to add the chiropractic and osteopath professions to the list of regulated professions under the Health Professionals Act 2004. 

Clause 6 – Schedule 2, table 2.4, item 7 – substitutes one new item into schedule 2, table 2.4, item 7 of the Health Professionals Regulations 2004 in relation to the qualification requirements for the general practice of general practitioners. 

Clause 7 – Schedule 2, table 2.4, item 11 – substitutes two new items into schedule 2, table 2.4, item 11 of the Health Professionals Regulations 2004 to amend the specialist qualifications for ophthalmology and to provide for the inclusion of pain medicine as a specialist area of medical practice. 

Clause 8 – Schedule 13 Chiropractors - inserts new Schedules 13 and 14.  

Schedule 13 covers the chiropractic profession, defines the meaning of the term ‘board’ for the schedule and includes details regarding Board membership of the ACT Chiropractic and Osteopath Board.

Schedule 14 covers the osteopath profession, defines the meaning of the term ‘board’ for the schedule and includes details regarding Board membership of the ACT Chiropractic and Osteopath Board.

Clause 9 – Dictionary, note 2 – inserts the term ‘commissioner for health complaints’ consequential on the amendment at clause 4.