AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

Veterinary Surgeons Registration Ordinance 1965

No. 3 of 1965

	At present, there is no legislation in force in the Australian Capital Territory relating to the practise of the profession of veterinary surgery.

2.	Although the number of persons practising this profession in the Territory is small, it is considered desirable, having regard to the recent development of Canberra and its expected future development, to introduce legislation concerning this matter.  This Ordinance is intended to provide such legislation.

3.	The Ordinance is based generally on the equivalent legislation in the States, and includes provisions which –

	(a)	establish a Veterinary Surgeons Board;

	(b)	provide for the registration of veterinary surgeons and for the qualifications necessary for registration;

	(c)	deal with the conduct of veterinary surgeons;

	(d)	provide for cancellation or suspension of a veterinary surgeon’s registration for misconduct, with supplementary provisions for appeals in such cases; and

	(e)	prohibit the practise of veterinary surgery except by registered persons.