Mr J. BULL (Sunbury) — It gives me great pleasure to rise today to contribute to debate on the Access to Medicinal Cannabis Bill 2015. I have listened intently to a number of very good contributions this afternoon. The member for Broadmeadows, who is the Parliamentary Secretary for Medical Research, spoke about the very important need to stay at the very forefront of medical research and design. I think it is vision that is required in this space. It is vision and leadership that this government — and our state, for that matter — must show in this area to ensure that each and every day we are constantly investing in this area, in the latest technologies and the greatest research, to ensure that we do as much as we possibly can to assist those that suffer on a day-to-day basis.

Like many bills debated last year, this is a bill that I am certainly very proud of, and I know that it will make a difference to those people who desperately need it. Just a few weeks ago, I listened quite intently to US President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address — and I know that the Parliamentary Secretary for Medical Research listened to this address as well. In the President’s address he spoke of his will and desire for the US to push harder on finding a cure for cancer. It was a very bold and very ambitious statement, but something that I believe is that a state, federal or any government around the world should never shy away from the biggest challenges that it faces.

In the President’s address he spoke about the space race. He reflected on when the Russians beat the Americans into space, and he said:

We built a space program … overnight. And 12 years later, we were walking on the moon.

I think that if you break it down, most members in this house and the other house certainly come into this place with the greatest hopes and ambitions to make their local area, their state and their nation the best place that it can possibly be. I looked at that speech and I was certainly very inspired, and I think that a number of other members were as well.

When we had the no jab, no play legislation come through the house last year, we looked at vaccines. I know that my generation in many ways does not quite understand the importance of vaccination and making sure that our children are protected against some of the most deadly diseases. The reason that we do not hear as much about them is that we are protected, and that is a very good thing. As a government we should never stop striving for, investing in and advancing towards the very best techniques to cure these conditions.

Today’s bill is not about the Parliament, it is not about us — it about the thousands of lives that will be made better through medicinal cannabis. I note that a number of members have mentioned the federal government, which is now introducing legislation in this space. I wish that the safest passage.

Mr McGuire interjected.

Mr J. BULL — Following Victoria’s lead, absolutely. If we look at the current opposition and its lack of action in this place last year, we note that it announced an advisory committee for a trial. It was not for a scheme but for a trial — and there was no trial.

Our approach from day one basically has been to get this done. Prior to the election we made a commitment that we would seek advice from the Victorian Law Reform Commission about the best way to implement this legislation. Our commitment was built on a strong view that no family should have to choose between breaking the law and watching their loved ones suffer.

The Victorian Law Reform Commission’s report into medicinal cannabis was provided to the government and subsequently tabled in the Parliament in October last year. In that report are 42 recommendations relating to the cultivation, manufacture and supply of medicinal cannabis products, patient eligibility and clinical oversight. The commission also made recommendations regarding the need for ongoing research and clinical trials. The government accepted 40 of the commission’s recommendations in full and 2 in principle.

The Victorian Law Reform Commission found that in determining the eligibility criteria:

… the conditions and symptoms selected should only be those for which there is a reasonable measure of research support in respect of efficacy or for which the research is weaker but the circumstances of the patient are particularly compelling.

Obviously that is a neatly drafted set of words. What we are really looking at here is: what is the best possible way that this medicine can be rolled out and given to those who desperately need it in a safe, effective and clear way? I know that the Minister for Health and the Premier, of course, have done a power of work in this space. I think that the approach is the right approach, rather than just walking away from it or announcing some sort of committee or review. That is not the approach that is going to ensure that young children receive the care that they deserve — and it is the care that they deserve.

I should have mentioned earlier on that the member for Frankston also spoke about an individual that was suffering and the difference that this medicine would make to their life. I think that the phased approach that this government has adopted is certainly a wise way forward. Importantly, the law reform commission recommends that patients only be able to access medicinal cannabis products on the direction of a specialist medical practitioner who should apply to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services for a permit to issue an authority to dispense medicinal cannabis.

We know that this is a sensible approach. From 2017, during phase 2, the first patient group, children with severe epilepsy, will gain access to the product. During this period we will also be issuing research licences for cultivation and manufacture to allow industry to gain the expertise necessary to produce medicinal cannabis in a regulated market.

This is a very exciting and groundbreaking piece of legislation. It is something that the government is very keen to see delivered and will deliver. During this period we will continue to review and monitor how the rollout is travelling. From phase 2 to phase 3, regulation will enable the industry to develop a product that will support an expanded patient cohort. The expanded patient cohort is the ultimate goal. It is about making sure, as I have mentioned before, that it is safe, it is effective, it is reliable and it is looked at on a case-by-case basis. We want to ensure that right throughout the state, and let us hope right throughout the nation, people are being treated with this essentially new form of medicine that is legal, that is safe and that assists them in their day-to-day lives. We know that under our scheme approved medicinal cannabis products are products that are refined, standardised and meet strict conditions.

We are committed to doing this right, and it will be done right. Children with severe epilepsy and other patients who are desperately seeking access cannot wait, and they should not have to wait any longer. I want to once again congratulate the Premier, the Minister for Health, the Minister for Agriculture and the Parliamentary Secretary for Medical Research on their outstanding commitment to delivering on this, and with great pride I commend the bill to the house.