Page 1631 - Week 06 - Thursday, 13 August 1992
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ANIMAL WELFARE BILL 1992 - PROPOSED SELECT COMMITTEE
MR WESTENDE (11.01): I move:
That -
(1) the Assembly establish a Select Committee into the Animal Welfare Bill 1992 with the following Terms of Reference: (a) to examine the Animal Welfare Bill 1992 with a view to recommending clearer and more concise expression; (b) to undertake further community consultation on the Bill; and (c) to compare the Bill with any resolutions or national animal welfare code emerging from the meeting of Animal Welfare Ministers in Queensland in October;
(2) the Select Committee consist of 3 members, with two members constituting a quorum; and
(3) the Select Committee report to the Assembly not later than 26 November 1992.
Madam Speaker, we have indicated that we are in favour of an animal welfare Bill. I think we have also indicated that we are happy about a bipartisan approach on the subject. However, it has become clear on many occasions that this Government thinks - I repeat, thinks - it has all the answers. Madam Speaker, that, I believe, will become, if it is not already, the Achilles heel of this Labor Government. No matter how much this Government thinks that they are right, they will realise one day, especially around election day, that they are here at the behest of the electorate. It will be that day when they will get the answer on what the people of the ACT think about the lack of consultation and their actions on issues for which they do not have a mandate. A month or so ago it was the repeal of the Termination of Pregnancy Act; now we are faced with certain aspects of the Animal Welfare Bill, which this Government clearly does not have a mandate to legislate on.
Mr Lamont's amendment must be an embarrassment to the Government. If it is not, his speeches and public comments surely must be. It is a joke, not to be taken seriously, inaccurate, rude, insensitive and, last but not least, egotistical. Madam Speaker, the great pretender will fall flat on his face if he thinks that he can get away with such careless attention to the truth. Mr Lamont has quite effectively reduced the standing - - -
Mr Lamont: Madam Speaker, I take a point of order. I ask that Mr Westende withdraw that imputation and those words, "careless attention to the truth". The implication of that is quite clear.
MADAM SPEAKER: Yes; Mr Westende, you are imputing that Mr Lamont is lying. Would you withdraw that, please? That is my ruling, Mr Westende. Will you withdraw that, please?
MR WESTENDE: Madam Speaker, in deference to the Chair, I will withdraw that remark. Mr Lamont has quite effectively reduced the standing of this Government. He has quite effectively transformed an opportunity for real progress on this important subject into a confrontationist, divisive and destructive debate. Madam Speaker, the sensitivity of Mr Lamont in this regard has just been emphasised by his asking me to withdraw that remark. I must say,
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