Proposed Bill to address bio-terrorism and climate change
Source: WA. Minister for Health. Media Release
"Health Minister Jim McGinty is inviting Western Australians to have their say on a new Public Health Act which will meet the demands of modern issues such as bio-terrorism, climate change and public health epidemics.
“The current Health Act 1911 is long overdue for replacement,” Mr McGinty said.
“The new Act will provide modern, flexible public health laws that better protect and promote public health as well as prevent illness and injury.
The new public health legislation will:

• remove legal barriers to public health standards being applied in indigenous communities;
• establish clear frameworks for relationships with other agencies, in particular local government;
• strengthen the State’s capacity to deal with public health emergencies, pandemics, chemical, biological or radiological (CBR) terrorism, or the public health consequences of other disasters;
• streamline administrative processes; and introduce a contemporary approach to managing public health in line with national best practice.