Government & Industry Submissions
Representing the interests of NHAA members and the professions of Western herbal medicine and naturopathy, the NHAA Board regularly works on submissions to Government and related industry bodies in a range of areas. See below for more information and copies of the submissions.
Aust Health Ministers' Advisory Council (AHMAC) April 2011
The AHMAC paper “Options for the regulation of unregistered practitioners”, sought comments on the adequacy of current protection available for consumers who use the services of unregulated health practitioners, including naturopaths and western herbalists. Options outlined for consideration were to make no changes to current mechanisms, to strengthen self regulatory arrangements, or to strengthen health complaints mechanisms.
Download: AHMAC Submission
Criminal Law Enforcement drug schedule March 2011
To comment on the Implementation of Model Drug Schedule for Commonwealth Serious Drug Offences. This discussion paper sought comment on various points including classification of some nutritional substances (such as minerals), as drug precursors and the expanded list of plant species under the model schedule for controlled plants. NHAA expressed concern that the paper cast a very wide net and had the potential to cause legitimate users of plants and some minerals to become criminals in the conduct of their daily lives. Enactment of this draft legislation would put many of our members outside the law simply because they practice herbal and nutritional medicine.
Download: Criminal Law Enforcement submission
VETAB Health Training Package review November 2009
To the Vocational Education & Training Accreditation Board in response to review of Health Training Package 07. To outline concerns expressed by our accredited course providers in relation to both HLT 07 content and current auditing processes. Also forwarded to the CS&H Industry Skills Council as part of the continuous improvement process for HLT 07.
Download: VETAB submission
ARONAH establishment support July 2009
To the Australian Register of Naturopaths and Herbalists Steering Committee giving in principle support to the establishment of an independent register of naturopaths and herbalists.
Download: ARONAH submission
NHHRC Report submission March 2009
To the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission in response to their interim report, A Healthier Future for all Australians, released in December 2008. Expressing support for the themes of the report: Taking responsibility; Connecting care; Facing inequities; Driving quality performance, and relating these to the need for greater integration of herbalists and naturopaths into the Australian health care system.
Download: NHHRC submission
The NHHRC website has a summary or an overview of the report as well as the complete document.