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| Madam Speaker, I move that the bill now be a second time. This Radiation Protection and Radiographers Amendment Bill will amend the Radiographers Act and the, as yet not commenced, Radiation Protection Act, to allow for the continued professional registration of radiographers in the Northern Territory. The Radiation Protection Act calls for the repeal of the Radiographers Act, a provision that has been resisted constantly by radiographers across the Northern Territory. During a meeting between radiographers and the former minister for Health in 2006, it was agreed to identify options for retaining the professional registration requirements for radiographers. The amendment bill is a result of that consultation. Since the drafting of the Radiation Protection Act, most other jurisdictions have endorsed the findings of the Vocational Education, Employment and Training Committee which recommended medical radiation technologist, a group which include radiographers, be registered in all jurisdictions to advance mutual recognition arrangements. The changes to the Radiographers Act and the Radiation Protection Act achieves that, and brings the mode of operation in the Northern Territory in line of that of most other Australian jurisdictions. Radiographers across Australia are lobbing strongly for national registration, and believe they now satisfy all criteria for this to take place. Retaining registration radiographers in the Northern Territory will ensure a smooth transition towards national registration. Madam Speaker, I commend the Radiation Protection and Radiographers Amendment Bill 2009 to honourable members and table the explanatory statement to accompany this bill. Debate adjourned. |