AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

AN ORDINANCE
TO PROVIDE FOR AND REGULATE THE EXAMINATION OF PERSONS SUFFERING OR SUSPECTED TO BE SUFFERING FROM TUBERCULOSIS AND FOR THE PREVENTION AND ERADICATION OF TUBERCULOSIS.

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

No. 6 of 1950

1.	As part of the Commonwealth-State campaign against tuberculosis, the States have been required to take certain powers in relation to persons suffering or suspected of suffering from tuberculosis and to the diagnosis of tuberculosis.

2.	Informed opinion throughout the world is overwhelmingly agreed that such powers are essential to an effectual campaign against the disease.

3.	This Ordinance merely takes for the Commonwealth, in relation to the Australian Capital Territory, the powers which the Commonwealth has required the States to take.

4.	Briefly stated those powers are:-
(a)	Notification by medical practitioners of persons suffering or believed to be suffering from tuberculosis to be compulsory (Sec. 4)
(b)	Power to require all or any persons over the age of 14 years to submit themselves to radiological examination of their lungs (Sec. 6)
(c)	Power to require persons who are or may be suffering from tuberculosis (including contacts of sufferers) to undergo such medical, radiological and bacteriological examinations as are specified (Sec. 7).
(d)	Power to restrain the recalcitrant patient (such as the chronic alcoholic) who is a menace to himself and the community (Sec. 9).