Page 2276 - Week 08 - Friday, 21 June 1991
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Australian Labor Party National President
MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, my question is to the Chief Minister. Will the Chief Minister scotch rumours that she is considering standing for the position of National President of the Australian Labor Party? Will she concede that in the present circumstances her time is better spent leading her minority Government and dealing with the ACT's pressing financial and other problems?
MS FOLLETT: I think the question is probably out of order, Mr Speaker; but I am happy to answer it, nevertheless. I love these rumours. Unfortunately, I have to say that they are only rumours and, in fact, I have not been approached to stand for the position of National President of the Australian Labor Party. Nevertheless, I think that there is a great deal to be said for the sort of publicity that I have had out of it so far, given that it has taken absolutely no effort on my part and has all been based purely on speculation. I particularly liked the Canberra Times article which indicated that my candidacy would be welcomed by most groups in the Labor Party, but it was quite obvious that I would be too busy to take on the job.
Mr Speaker, that is my personal view of it; but I can only say, in order to answer Mr Humphries, that I have not been approached to stand. As a rule, in the Labor Party, it is not so much a matter of what the party can do for us, but what we can do for the party. If I were to be approached in a serious way to stand for a position, obviously I would have to consider it. I have not been approached and I do not believe that I will be approached; and, if I were, I believe that there are better candidates.
Euthanasia
DR KINLOCH: Mr Speaker, my question is to Mr Connolly, as Attorney-General. It is on the subject of euthanasia. Does the Attorney agree that this controversial matter should not proceed without very careful analysis? Would the Minister consider recommending that one of our committees - may I suggest the Social Policy Committee - should take on the matter in order to investigate it and in due time report to the Assembly, or would the Minister refer this matter to one of our committees concerned with legislation?
MR CONNOLLY: I thank Dr Kinloch for his question. As Dr Kinloch would be aware, at the weekend the 1991 Annual Conference of the ACT Branch of the Australian Labor Party passed a resolution which inserts a proposal for euthanasia into the platform of this party. He may be aware, as an historian and student of politics, that the platform of the Labor Party commits the direction of a government, but the implementation of the platform is a decision for government.
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