Page 1132 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 23 June 1992
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MADAM SPEAKER: My advice, Mr Connolly, which I think is interesting, is that we have not voted on the Bill. We have voted only that we agree to it in principle. It is the right of any member then to move amendments until the whole Bill is dealt with. That is my advice, so we will proceed that way.
MR KAINE: Madam Speaker, I would have thought that, on an issue as sensitive as this and one which is going to have profound effects for the community, Mr Connolly - - -
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Kaine, there is also a standing order, the number of which I cannot remember at the moment, that does ask you to address the Chair. Would you please do so.
MR KAINE: I am addressing the Chair, Madam Speaker.
MADAM SPEAKER: You are addressing the chamber.
MR KAINE: Madam, it does not require that I face you. It requires that I address you, and, Madam Speaker, I am addressing you.
MADAM SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr Kaine. Please proceed.
MR KAINE: Mr Lamont talked about empowering people to make choices. Repealing of this Act does not do that. They have the same choices now as they will have once the Act is repealed. Mr Berry said, "Labor will ensure that counselling is available". Repealing this Act in no way affects whether counselling will or will not be available. Those points are not relevant to the repeal of this Act. All of those things can be achieved with this Act in place, but by changing other procedures and other Acts.
I submit that, before people vote on this final clause of the Bill, they need to think carefully whether the repeal of this Act serves any useful purpose and whether it will achieve the objectives they have set. If they agree that repealing this Act will not achieve the objectives they are talking about, then they are in honour and conscience bound not to vote to repeal it.
MR BERRY (Minister for Health, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Sport) (10.25): Madam Speaker, the Government will oppose this amendment.
Amendment negatived.
Clause agreed to.
Title agreed to.
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