Gayle's Law

The Hon. C. BONAROS (15:20): Finally, on the issue of liability, will this government take full responsibility, heaven forbid, should another remote area nurse be tragically murdered or assaulted due to a decision being made not to require a second responder to attend with them on a callout?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (15:20): The government takes very seriously its responsibility to help protect health professionals who often are required to respond to a medical emergency in a situation that involves risk to themselves, but we do need to get the balance right. Health professionals need to be supported to respond when it is safe to do so, but we also need to empower them to respond to a medical emergency when they need to do so. As well as considering the safety of health professionals, I also need to consider the impact on the viability and sustainability of health services.

We believe we have the balance right. I note the motions of the Hon. Kyam Maher and the Hon. Connie Bonaros in terms of raising questions about this regulation and the legislation under which it sits. The government is certainly very happy to have a respectful conversation about getting the laws right, but I would urge honourable members to do this in an orderly way and to receive submissions from all of the stakeholders. So far in this discussion, the ANMF has put its point of view. I can assure you that is not the only perspective.