ACT Pleased At Likely Progress Of Foreign Doctors Bill

ACT Deputy Leader and Health spokesman Ken Shirley said he anticipated across-the-House support today for his private member’s bill aimed at assisting appropriately qualified foreign doctors to achieve registration in New Zealand.

“Talented foreign-qualified medical practitioners are too often shut out simply because they are outsiders. There has been a widespread public perception that the medical profession in this country has been operating as a ‘closed shop’, while at the same time waiting lists have been growing due to increasing shortages of medical practitioners, “ Mr Shirley said.

The main effect of the Medical Practitioners (Foreign Qualified Medical Practitioners) Bill is that the final decision about suitability of foreign qualified medical practitioners to practice here would be made by the NZ Qualifications Authority instead of the Medical Council, although the council would still physically issue the registration.

“I welcome the indications of support I have received from MPs and look forward to the bill being referred to select committee, allowing public submissions and robust scrutiny by the committee,” Mr Shirley said.

Mr Shirley’s bill is one of three bills by ACT MPs to be debated by Parliament today – the first time the party has had that many bills before the House on Members’ Day.

The other ACT bills to be debated later in the day are:

* The Resource Management (consultation with Landowners) Amendment Bill, promoted by ACT Environment Spokesman Owen Jennings. This requires local authorities to consult with all affected landowners before creating protection areas on private land.

* The Criminal Justice (Parole Offenders) Amendment Bill, promoted by ACT Justice Spokesman Stephen Franks. The bill strengthens provisions for dealing with offences committed by parolees released from prison on trust. It would also compel the Justice Minister to ensure that detailed information is both compiled and published on offences committed while on parole.

ENDS

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

© Scoop Media