Mevrou die Voorsitter, agb Minister en lede, die DP is al dikwels in hierdie Huis daarvan beskuldig dat ons ondemokraties en teen hervorming en nuwe wetgewing gekant is.
Die regerende party noem gerieflikheidshalwe nie die feit dat ons die oorgrote meerderheid wetgewing heelhartig steun nie. Ek sou s dit is 'n blatante poging om ons af te maak as 'n party vasgevang in rigiede rels en dat ons eintlik die vyand van demokrasie is. Hoekom kan die DP nie hierdie wetgewing steun nie? (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[Ms E C GOUWS: Madam Chairperson, hon Minister and hon members, the DP has often been accused in this House of being undemocratic and opposed to reform and new legislation.
The governing party neglects to mention the fact that we wholeheartedly support the overwhelming majority of legislation. I would say this is a blatant attempt to laugh us off as a party that is caught up in rigid rules and that is, in fact, the enemy of democracy. Why can the DP not support this legislation?]
Because we must put our money where our mouths are. Creating new jobs must be the priority of the Government. That is what they make the people believe they are trying to do. How on earth does this work if one closes down 110 SA Institute for Medical Research laboratories, the National Institute for Virology, the National Centre for Occupational Health, provincial health laboratory services and three forensic laboratories?
Furthermore, they are limiting the role of research at our universities. We thought that the Government was looking at privatising most parastatals, but now we see they are creating one. The DP submit that, while there may be some justification for the rationalisation of all public-sector laboratory services into a single national laboratory service, such service should not have the monopoly over the provision of laboratory services to public-health-sector providers. It should be impelled to provide a service competitive with that provided by the private sector. In the absence of such competition, there will be no guarantee that the NHLS will feel impelled to provide a cost-effective, efficient service to public sector service providers.
Die Huis het gehoor van die groot rol wat ons gaan speel ten opsigte van hulp aan lande in Suider-Afrika. Dit moet 'n bonus wees en nie as primre motivering vir hierdie wetgewing dien nie. Ons eerste prioriteit is Suid- Afrika. Ons moet kyk na meer werkgeleenthede, na die afwenteling van mag na die private sektor en na die doeltreffendste en bekostigbaarste wyse waarop voorsiening vir medisyne vir die behandeling van ons siek mense gemaak kan word.
Hierdie wetgewing gaan nie hiertoe bydra nie. Die DP steun nie hierdie wetsontwerp nie. [Applous.] (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[The House has heard of the great role which we are going to play with regard to aid to countries in Southern Africa. This should be a bonus and should not serve as the primary motivation for this legislation. Our first priority is South Africa. We must look at more job opportunities, at the devolution of power to the private sector and at the most effective and affordable way in which provision can be made for medicine for the treatment of our sick people.
This legislation will not contribute to that. The DP does not support this Bill. [Applause.]]