Veterinary Services Bill

Final Stages

The House of Assembly agreed to the bill with the amendments indicated by the following schedule, to which amendments the House of Assembly desires the concurrence of the Legislative Council:

No. 1. Clause 79, page 46, lines 20 to 29 [clause 79(1) and (2)]—Delete subclauses (1) and (2) and substitute:

(1) For the purposes of section 22 of the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2013, there will be—

(a) a panel of assessors consisting of—

(i) veterinarians with primary registration or deemed registration; and

(ii) veterinarians (however described) registered under a corresponding law but who do not provide veterinary services or engage in other conduct as a veterinarian in this State; and

(b) a panel of assessors consisting of persons who have expertise that would be of value to the Tribunal in proceedings under this Act (being persons who are not veterinarians and who do not work in an area relating to, or have a material interest in, veterinary services).

(2) Subject to this Act, in exercising its powers for the purposes of this Act, the Tribunal will, unless the President of the Tribunal determines that the Tribunal is to be constituted by fewer than 3 members, be constituted by 3 members of whom—

(a) 2 will be selected from the panel of assessors referred to in subsection (1)(a); or

(b) —

(i) 1 will be selected from the panel of assessors referred to in subsection (1)(a); and

(ii) 1 will be selected from the panel of assessors referred to in subsection (1)(b).

Consideration in committee.

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: I move:

That the House of Assembly's amendments be agreed to.

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: I rise briefly on behalf of the opposition to say that we will be supporting the amendment. This amendment is a variation of the amendment by the opposition that was passed in this place. It is a somewhat watered-down version; however, I appreciate the government's willingness to take a position of compromise on this amendment and we are certainly happy to do the same.

It is incredibly important that this bill passes today not just for the confidence of the veterinary industry but for the confidence of the many pet owners in our state. It passed this chamber back in September and it is important that there is no further delay to ensure certainty for all of those involved.

Motion carried.