Page 1117 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 23 June 1992
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Ears may even resemble a family pattern by seven weeks. At two months the unborn child has the same physical proportions as a newly born child and almost everything is present, except that these characteristics are much smaller. People say that we should not get emotional. That is what this debate is all about. It is about the possibility - a greater possibility than we have now - of killing future Canberrans. There is no doubt about this.
Let us get political now, because it is also a political debate. That is why we are here. What did the ALP say about abortions before the election? The answer is zero, zilch. When the Liberal Party had a look at the ALP platform and we dared to tell the community what it had in store, we were called all sorts of things. The first thing is that they denied it: No, not true, not on, nothing. People in the community - some of them are outside - have points of view. There are a heck of a lot of them out there. They were not told what this Government was going to do; no-one was told. Yet here we are debating this supposedly crucial issue that cannot wait. So much for consultation. What double standards! What hypocrisy, Madam Speaker!
Mr Moore: What was in your platform?
MR DE DOMENICO: It was not to kill unborn babies, Mr Moore. What was in yours?
Mr Moore: Nothing; the same as yours.
MR DE DOMENICO: What was in yours? What would you do? Nothing; like you usually do.
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr De Domenico, please address your remarks to the Chair.
MR DE DOMENICO: I will. I am sorry, Madam Speaker, and thank you for protecting me from the people that interrupt from time to time. Let us look at what the community has to say. Like all members of the Assembly, I have been written to by a number of people. Let me say that these are letters written to me for and against.
Mr Moore: Is that all?
MR DE DOMENICO: I have some more as well, Mr Moore. Overwhelmingly - - -
Mrs Grassby: You did not get many.
MR DE DOMENICO: Let us listen to what your views are, Mrs Grassby, and what you are going to do about this Bill. Let us listen to what you have to say.
Ms Follett: Madam Speaker, on a point of order: Mr De Domenico is continually addressing his remarks to members other than the Speaker - and in a fairly intimidatory manner, I might add.
MADAM SPEAKER: I have pointed out the rule. I do require you to address your remarks to the Chair, Mr De Domenico.
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