"CHINESE MEDICINE REGISTRATION BILL" Passed in Australia

Following the Lower House of the Victoria Parliament passed the "CHINESE MEDICINE REGISTRATION BILL" on May 3, 2000, the Upper House also passed the Bill a week later (May 9, 2000) and so far, the Bill has completed its legislative process. The next step is that a "Chinese Medicine Registration Board" will be established which include totally 9 people: 6 Chinese medicine practitioners, 1 Lawyer, 2 other representatives. The Board (Zhong Yi Zhu Che Ju in Chinese Pin Yin) will have the power to register qualified Chinese medicine practitioners via a legislative process. It is important to understand that the AUSTRALIAN MODEL is called "Statutory Legislation" that is very different from the AMERICAN MODLE-"Licensing Regulation". The Australian Model is the FIRST model in the world for Chinese Medicine Legislation, even in China there is no such Legislation Bill for Chinese medicine practice. Congratulations to Australia!

The significance of the Chinese Medicine Registration Bill are that:

1. Offer a more effective way to the public to choose qualified practitioners, therefore,

2. The public is well protected,

3. Establish a higher standards for Chinese medicine education and professional practice.

4. Establish a mutually agreed professional Code of Conduct.

5. A health encouragement towards the professional development

What is the most important thing beyond the Bill? The answer is that the Bill is a milestone for Chinese Medicine History of Development, not only for Chinese Medicine but also for the whole content of Chinese Culture. The Bill could be a Model for any other country's Chinese medicine promotion.

On May 11, a special function: "CHINESE MEDICINE REGISTRATION BILL INFORMATION & PRE CELEBRATION" was conducted at Chinatown in Melbourne, Australia. The Hon. John Thwaites, Minister for Health, Victoria attended the function, he is also the Vice Primer of Victoria. The Minister said that the Victoria Government sincerely appreciates that those efforts and hard works have been done by the Australia Chinese Medicine professions especially, Professor Tzi Chiang Lin, the National President of FCMA and his colleagues such as Dr. De Yuan Wang, the vice- President and Dr. Liu Zhi-jing, the Secretary General of FCMA(Federation of Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Societies Australia). The Minister also mentioned that Victoria is leading the way for Chinese medicine development outside China. Australia has more than FIVE government fund universities offering Chinese Medicine Degree Course.

The function on May 11 was very successful. As the Chairman of the function, Dr. De Yuan Wang said that he personally very proud of himself as an oversea Chinese, as a Chinese Medicine practitioner, as one of the Leaders in Australia.