TO BE DEBATED IN NT PARLIAMENT IN MAY 2022
SIGN THE PETITION @ Change.org
Why does the CHO need 2 years of powers for public health directions AFTER the State of Emergency has been revoked? Who will these authorised officers be? Why will these authorised officers have more powers than police? Why can CHO directions be oral?
57G (2) “An authorised officer assisting the CHO may use the force that is necessary and reasonable to do any of the following: ……
(c) remove a person from an area or place;
(d) search for and seize a thing;
(e) search for, examine, copy, remove and retain documents relating to this Division for so long as is reasonably necessary…”
57G (3) “An authorised officer taking action to assist the CHO:
(a) may take the action at any time of the day; and
(b) is not required to give notice to any person of the officer’s intention to take the action;
(c) is not required to obtain consent to take the action from any person concerned or the owner or occupier of any area or place concerned; and
(d) is not required to hold a warrant or another form of authorisation required under a law in force in the Territory to:
(i) enter and remain at any place (including Aboriginal land) concerned; or
(ii) search any person or place concerned”
Quarantine fees up to $10,000 ? “A person or class of persons must pay any fee determined…”
An “Explanatory Statement” by the Health Minister for the Amendment Bill 2022 can be downloaded here (pdf).
Link for the Bill : Public and Environmental Health Legislation Amendment Bill 2022
If you are not happy with the Bill or parts of this Bill, then please contact your local MP immediately and let them know:
List of the Members of the 14th Legislative Assembly (web page)
List of the Members of the 14th Legislative Assembly (pdf download)