Question Time

VETERINARY TREATMENT

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Leader of the Opposition) (14:27): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before I ask the minister for primary industries a question regarding veterinary science, sheep and sperm.

Leave granted.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: It is policy of the South Australian Veterinary Surgeons Board that a layperson is not able to conduct laparoscopic artificial insemination for a fee or reward separately or under the supervision of a veterinary surgeon, either if employed or contracted by the vet, as these are deemed to compromise the veterinary treatment under the meaning of the Veterinary Practice Act 2003. However, the opposition has been informed that a lay operator has been given a government licence to charge for conducting laparoscopic artificial insemination.

The opposition also understands that the Veterinary Surgeons Board of South Australia has written to the lay operator at least once, and probably more often, to inform him that he is breaking the law. My questions to the minister are:

1. Is it illegal for a layperson to conduct laparoscopic artificial insemination for a fee or charge in South Australia?

2. Has the minister spoken about this issue to the Attorney-General?

3. Has the minister espoused the virtues of a Victorian lay operator who has been investigated by the Attorney-General's Department?

4. Should a South Australian minister support registered veterinarians who live and work in South Australia ahead of a lay operator from Victoria?

5. Has the minister claimed that the lay operator has 30 years' experience and has trained 80 vets? If so, can the minister substantiate this claim?

6. If the regulations in respect of sheep AI being allowed under vet supervision have changed, when did these changes occur, who made this decision and was the South Australian Veterinary Surgeons Board and the industry consulted and informed of the decision?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (14:29): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. They are issues that have been drawn to my attention in terms of the requirements around laparoscopic procedures. I do not have those details with me. I will need to take that on notice and will be happy to bring back a response at the earliest possible convenience.