Bob Simcock
Opposition Social Services Spokesperson
9 February 2000
Law change vital following new child death figures
The Health Minister has to take immediate action to ensure the Child Mortality Review Board Bill is made law - in the
wake of new child mortality figures, Opposition Social Services spokesperson Bob Simcock said today.
"The figures out today showing our infant mortality rate is the second highest in the developed world are extremely
alarming.
"The Health Minister must give an undertaking to pass my Private Member's Bill - the Child Mortality Review Board Bill -
currently before the Health Select Committee.
"Once passed it will give us a much deeper understanding about infant mortality.
"If we can understand what goes wrong, we can begin to do something about it.
"I approached the Minister of Health in December seeking the Government's commitment to the Bill, and still have not had
an answer about whether she will support it.
"I have also approached the Minister of Social Services who has been similarly indecisive.
"The Bill has already had its second reading. There is a lot of support in the community for it, and we can move quickly
and make it law.
"I urge the Minister of Health and Government to give a commitment now to passing the Bill into law."
Ends