Page 3217 - Week 11 - Wednesday, 21 September 1994
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Mr Connolly used the words "a bit political". In this debate, many of us have tried not to be too political. I suggest to Mr Connolly that the best-case scenario is that at least 15 members of this Assembly would agree with Bishop Power. I believe that even members of the Labor Party would prefer this legislation not to go ahead. I cannot speak for members of the Labor Party; but I think that I know enough about members of the Labor Party to believe that the best-case scenario would be that this legislation did not go ahead.
As Mr Stevenson and Mr Connolly quite rightly said, Mr Moore has been up-front about this issue all the way through. As I mentioned last week, he has been very cunning. Mr Moore had a look at various party platforms, including his own, and drafted legislation based upon those platforms. So, when Mr Connolly talks about being a bit political - - -
Mr Lamont: No, he did not.
MR DE DOMENICO: I am not going to take any interjections from Mr Lamont. In order to get people to vote for this amendment, Mr Connolly also said that anyone who had been dissatisfied before Mr Connolly's amendment should now be satisfied. That shows to me that, all things being equal, Mr Connolly himself would have preferred this legislation not to go ahead. I know that Mr Connolly is not usually a "wet" - in some circumstances he is - but, in his "dry" moments, he would have preferred this legislation not to go ahead. That is why he used the words "anyone should be satisfied". I suggest to Mr Connolly that everybody is not satisfied. I am certainly not satisfied. Quite obviously, Mr Kaine is not satisfied. Some of my colleagues and some of the people in the community are not satisfied either.
Mr Connolly also talked about the fact that the process has been a long one. He is right there. He said that everyone has had adequate opportunity to have an input. That again is not correct. Mr Connolly may be aware of a letter from the Knights of the Southern Cross, dated 19 September, written to the Chief Minister. I think that a copy was sent to Mrs Carnell. It said:
I am writing on behalf of the members of the Knights of the Southern Cross to object in the strongest possible terms to the Assembly's and your Government's handling of the Medical Treatment Bill.
This Bill arose from the report of the Select Committee on Euthanasia to the Assembly after extensive public consultation on the Voluntary and Natural Death Bill. By contrast, this Bill has had no such public consultation.
Mr Connolly and Mr Moore might laugh, but - - -
Mr Connolly: You might spin around 90 degrees and see who is laughing at you.
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