Shadow Minister for Health, Bill Yan, says the timing of Labor’s legislation to give the Chief Health Officer (CHO) extraordinary, unfettered power for two more years is suspicious, and watering down reporting provisions points to a desperate attempt to keep the CHO’s advice – and how it has been implemented by Labor – a secret.
“In stark contrast, the CLP is seeking greater scrutiny of Labor’s COVID decisions. That is why the CLP Opposition introduced its own Bill for regular reporting from the CHO to Parliament.
“But the Labor Government deliberately dragged out debate on our Bill yesterday to make sure it never sees the light of day.
“The Northern Territory has been under a public health emergency for the past two years. Now, with just 35 days to go until that health emergency ends, Labor is panicking about the prospect of all that advice and evidence, and the decision-making process being made public.
“That’s why Labor has decided to bring on unprecedented legislative changes to grant an unelected official unfettered power, and scraps any resemblance of accountability by reducing a “detailed report” from the CHO, to a simple summary.
“Labor’s proposed amendments ensure a detailed report never sees the light of day, and gives Territorians no confidence in that this rudderless government has the ability to be open and transparent.
“Greater responsibility comes with greater checks and balances.
“The CHO and his office have already done the work – it’s a legislative requirement that a detailed report is submitted within three months of the end of the emergency period. Why can’t it be made public to Territorians?” said Mr Yan.
ENDS