Public Health Act—Section 158—Training
788. Hon Philip Scott to the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Health:
According to previous answers provided, the draconian powers outlined in section 158 of the Public Health Act have never been used. However, that section could be invoked during a public health emergency. Given the government can see a scenario in which section 158 would be used, I ask the following.
(1) Has specific training ever been provided to the police officers or authorised officers expected to carry out the provisions within section 158—namely, holding someone down, stripping them naked and forcibly vaccinating them?
(2) Is there ongoing training for police officers or authorised officers in relation to section 158 and, if so, what does that training entail?
(3) Has the government obtained legal advice regarding the adherence of section 158 to Australia's international human rights obligations and, if so, what is that advice?
Hon Pierre Yang replied:
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. The following answer has been provided by the Minister for Health.
(1)–(3) Persons designated as authorised officers are appropriately qualified and trained to exercise powers specific to their role. There is no ongoing training provided to authorised officers specifically in relation to section 158 of the act. In drafting the Public Health Act 2016, consideration was given to ensuring that the act was consistent with Australia's international human rights obligations.
