[no bill text published] NSW Large Buildings and Public Vehicles Must Install Defibrillators and Fines for Damaging Them

Automated External Defibrillators (Public Access) Bill 2024 (No 2)

Opposition Bill

24 Oct 2024: This bill has lapsed and is no longer under discussion.

Legislative Assembly

Legislative Council

Assent

Share this bill

Email Facebook X Bluesky

Topics

building standards defibrillators emergency medical equipment emergency services medical device safety medical equipment public health public safety

Introduced by: Gareth Ward (LIB)

Links to official parliament websites

Official page: progress through parliament

Official page: bill text and explanatory notes

Effects of this bill

If this bill passes, it means that:

People must not intentionally damage, destroy, or remove defibrillators without a reasonable excuse; doing so is a crime.
People in charge of large commercial, government, educational, health, and entertainment buildings, as well as emergency and public passenger vehicles, must install and maintain defibrillators. Buildings larger than 1,200m² must install extra units for every additional 1,200m² of space. All units must be tested at least once a year.
People in charge of these buildings and vehicles must put up signs showing where the defibrillators are located. Signs must be placed near the unit and at building entrances or on the outside of vehicles.
People in charge of these buildings and vehicles must tell the Health Minister where the defibrillators are, when they are accessible, and when batteries were last replaced. This must be done within 30 days of installation, and any changes must be reported within 14 days.
The Health Minister must create a free public register and a smartphone app that helps people find nearby defibrillators.
The Health Minister must provide training on how to use defibrillators for certain groups of people and run a public awareness campaign for at least five years.
Authorised officers can issue penalty notices to people who break these laws.

The Debate

What different members said when this bill was debated:

Nathan Hagarty ALP

“I contribute to debate on the Automated External Defibrillators (Public Access) Bill 2024 (No 2). Sudden cardiac arrest can affect not only athletes but also any member of the community. Defibrillators play a vital role in saving lives when tragic cardiac arrest events occur.”

Official source →

Tim James LIB

“I am pleased to make some remarks in relation to the Automated External Defibrillators (Public Access) Bill 2024 (No 2). I thank the member for Kiama for bringing this timely and valuable bill to the Parliament. Like other members, I too have had a heart health check today thanks to the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute.”

Official source →

Kobi Shetty GRN

“On behalf of The Greens, I make a brief contribution to debate on the Automated External Defibrillators (Public Access) Bill 2024 (No 2) and indicate that while the bill is commendable in its intent, we will not be supporting it.”

Official source →

News articles and press releases

Automated External Defibrillators (Public Access) Bill 2024 (No 2)

Mr GARETH WARD, Member for Kiama — 2024-06-06

This bill seeks to emulate that, improve upon it and improve access by not just having defibrillators in public places but also to improve regulation around the Service NSW app to ensure that people can find these devices when they are needed most. Around 3,800 people die from out of hospital cardiac arrests every year in New South Wales. More than 70 per cent of those lives could be saved. The figure is higher than the national road toll.