I'm trying to think of some scenarios in which a govt would want to destroy buildings, cars, animals, etc. Doesn't it already have the right to cull sick animals? This law makes me more than a little uneasy. I hope the US isn't watching...
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[snips]
STATE Parliament has passed laws allowing buildings and animals to be destroyed in the event of a serious pandemic as the Federal Government prepares to increase the national swine flu alert level.
The state's swine flu tally has soared and the Government has announced it will shift its focus to protecting the vulnerable, preparing to postpone elective surgery and planning more flu clinics.
Doctors now only will test high-risk cases to reduce pressure on facilities.
Health Minister John Hill said it was time to shift the focus from tracing the contacts of confirmed cases to protecting the old, the young and the sick.
He said it was "only a matter of time" before SA was in the same situation as Victoria, with more than 1200 cases.
The legislation passed yesterday gives the state increased powers in the case of "a more dangerous flu pandemic".
They include the power to forcibly quarantine people – including those with no symptoms – and to "remove or destroy . . . any building, structure, vehicle, vegetation, animal or other thing".
"The legislation includes new powers for senior health officials including directing a person to remain in isolation . . . or obliging them to undergo medical observation, examination or treatment," Mr Hill said.
"These powers would be used only in the event of a serious health emergency.
"We do not expect to invoke those powers for swine flu."
The Federal Government could increase its pandemic alert level as early as today.
The nation is in the "contain" phase. The next is the "sustain" phase, where attention turns to protecting the vulnerable until a vaccine is developed.
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,25648013-2682,00.html
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[snips]
STATE Parliament has passed laws allowing buildings and animals to be destroyed in the event of a serious pandemic as the Federal Government prepares to increase the national swine flu alert level.
The state's swine flu tally has soared and the Government has announced it will shift its focus to protecting the vulnerable, preparing to postpone elective surgery and planning more flu clinics.
Doctors now only will test high-risk cases to reduce pressure on facilities.
Health Minister John Hill said it was time to shift the focus from tracing the contacts of confirmed cases to protecting the old, the young and the sick.
He said it was "only a matter of time" before SA was in the same situation as Victoria, with more than 1200 cases.
The legislation passed yesterday gives the state increased powers in the case of "a more dangerous flu pandemic".
They include the power to forcibly quarantine people – including those with no symptoms – and to "remove or destroy . . . any building, structure, vehicle, vegetation, animal or other thing".
"The legislation includes new powers for senior health officials including directing a person to remain in isolation . . . or obliging them to undergo medical observation, examination or treatment," Mr Hill said.
"These powers would be used only in the event of a serious health emergency.
"We do not expect to invoke those powers for swine flu."
The Federal Government could increase its pandemic alert level as early as today.
The nation is in the "contain" phase. The next is the "sustain" phase, where attention turns to protecting the vulnerable until a vaccine is developed.
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,25648013-2682,00.html