Hansard debates

Melissa HORNE (Williamstown – Minister for Ports and Freight, Minister for Health Infrastructure, Minister for Prevention of Family Violence) (10:51): Under the Statewide Treaty Act ‍2025, I table a statement of treaty compatibility:

1. In my opinion, the Bill is compatible with the matters set out in section 66(3)(d) of the Statewide Treaty Act 2025 I base my opinion on the reasons outlined in this statement.

Overview of the Bill

2. The Bill will make amendments to regulatory frameworks in four Acts to streamline and strengthen registration and licensing requirements, and to minimise the risk of harm to the health and safety of Victorians. These amendments will impact various entities regulated under these Acts by imposing new obligations on them.

3. The Bill will amend the following Acts:

3.1 Assisted Reproductive Treatment Act 2008 (ART Act), to require registered ART providers to comply with the requirements of an approved accreditation scheme; amend provisions relating to the registration of registered ART providers to enable the Secretary to grant and refuse registration and to issue a certificate of registration; and provide the Secretary with further inspection powers;

3.2 Non-Emergency Patient Transport and First Aid Services Act 2003 (NEPTFAS Act), by expanding the scope of the power to make regulations in relation to the application, adoption or incorporation of documents in regulations;

3.3 Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 (PHW Act), by amending provisions in relation to the registration of cooling tower systems and to clarify that the responsible person in relation to a cooling tower system is the person who owns, manages, or operates it;

3.4 Radiation Act 2005 (Radiation Act), in relation to the disposal of radiation sources by creating an offence provision for improper disposal of radiation sources and a regulatory scheme for the provision of financial assurances.

Consultation with the First Peoples’ Assembly of Gellung Warl

4. Due to the recent establishment of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Gellung Warl, it was not possible to give the First Peoples’ Assembly the opportunity to advise on the Bill or for the Assembly to otherwise make representations about the effect of the Bill on First Peoples.

Compatibility of the Bill with each of the objects in section 66(3)(d) of the Statewide Treaty Act 2025

5. I have considered whether the Bill is compatible with the objects at section 66(3)(d) of the Statewide Treaty Act 2025:

5.1 advancing the inherent rights and self‑determination of First Peoples; and

5.2 addressing the unacceptable disadvantage inflicted on First Peoples by the historic wrongs and ongoing injustices of colonisation; and

5.3 ensuring the equal enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms by First Peoples.

6. In my opinion the Bill does not affect any of the objects in specified in section 66(3)(d)(i)–(iii) of the Statewide Treaty Act 2025 and is therefore compatible with each of those objects.

7. In my opinion, the Bill does not in its terms deal with First Peoples and does not directly or indirectly in its practical effect engage the human rights or fundamental freedoms of First Peoples.

The Hon. Melissa Horne MP

Minister for Health Infrastructure

Minister for Ports and Freight

Minister for Prevention of Family Violence