Northern Territory Second Reading Speeches

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HEALTH PRACTITIONERS AND ALLIED PROFESSIONALS REGISTRATION AMENDMENT BILL 2000

(This an uncorrected proof of the daily report. It is made available under the condition that it is recognised as such.)

The Psychologists Registration Board of the NT has requested this amendment as a result of the Australian Psychological society raising its minimum criteria for membership from a 4 year psychology degree to a 6 year psychology degree.

Section 41 of the Northern Territory’s Health Practitioners and Allied Professionals Registration Act prescribes the qualifications for registration to practice psychology as: ‘approved qualifications and experience acceptable for full membership of the Australian Psychological Society.’

The Psychologists Registration Boards in all in all other states and territories have agreed to continue to recognise 4 year qualifications. The Northern Territory’s Psychologists Board is of the view that this increase in academic requirement is not justified. The board believes that it would unnecessarily restrict competition, as well as restrict the availability of psychological services and potentially increase the costs of these services.

Unless Northern Territory legislation is amended, graduates from the Northern Territory university will be eligible to register as psychologists in all Australian jurisdictions except the NT. This would be an untenable situation for young Territorians and the community in general.

I commend the Health Practitioners and Allied Professionals Registration Amendment bill to honourable members.

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