Page 3714 - Week 13 - Wednesday, 17 October 1990
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Mr Speaker, it is not a crime to belong to the Communist Party, and it is not a crime to support it. It is one of the basic tenets of democracy that we hold dear in Australia, and to have it quoted back as a reason for only half-hearted support of Nelson Mandela says it all as far as I am aware. To criticise somebody for belonging to, or associating with, another political party shows that you have no idea of the value of democracy and what it means. Mr Duby has tried them all. He has probably secretly been a member of the Communist Party as well.
In short, Mr Speaker, we have heard very little substantial objection to the motion as it stands, yet we have heard a great deal of very, very half-hearted support. I find it absolutely disgraceful that an assembly which has its own Amnesty International group and which has human rights legislation before it - which you have tried to get rid of, incidentally - would not be able to give wholehearted support to a deliberately moderate motion. I think it is an absolute disgrace to the Government members. The motion is deliberately moderate. Mr Speaker, the motion was designed to be uncontroversial.
Mr Jensen: Why did you not discuss it before you put it in to the Speaker?
MS FOLLETT: Mr Speaker, I find it really objectionable that I have to try to talk over these constant interjections from people opposite. The fact that the Government members do not recognise a moderate motion when they see one and are prepared to deny an opportunity to discuss it and misrepresent the fact that it was available for discussion indicates their sensitivity, their double standards, on this whole issue and their very half-hearted support for Mr Mandela.
I think you should support the original motion. Mr Duby's proposed amendments add nothing and detract from at least parts of it. I just do not see his proposed amendment to paragraph (4) as achievable, and it may not even be possible for us to contemplate it. So, I recommend the motion to you, and I think that if you have some idea of moderation and a non-partisan stand on this you will vote for the motion as it is.
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