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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 11 Hansard (25 September) . . Page.. 3414 ..

MR BERRY (continuing):

Mr Speaker, if there is a group of people in the Federal Parliament who want to run a referendum, say, on euthanasia, I dare them to, because I think I know the outcome. But to do it in this way, I think, is quite unacceptable. I urge any member who feels passionately about the issue which has triggered the move in the Federal Parliament to try to undermine the rights of the Territories to consider the issue of how we are treated as Australians and how we all ought to be treated the same. If there are to be laws passed which are generated by activity in the Federal Parliament, they ought to apply in relation to all the States and Territories. They should not be directed at the Northern Territory and the ACT. Mr Speaker, this motion that has been moved by my colleague Ms Follett goes to that very issue. I reinforce my earlier request to members to consider the importance of endorsing this motion unanimously.

MR OSBORNE (5.09): I had intended to speak prior to Mr Moore and did not. I did not do it on purpose, so that I could come in after him; but I have to admit that this issue, more than anything, is one that has given me a great deal to think about. I will not be voting against Ms Follett's motion. However, there are some points that I would like to raise, points that are very valid to me personally.

I have been sitting here thinking about how I should approach this issue. I have to say that when I first heard of Kevin Andrews's proposed legislation it was very hard for me not to smile about it privately, and I did say that to Mr Moore. However, I was then faced with the issue that what Mr Andrews is proposing flies in the face of my role here as a law-maker. I have to say, Mr Speaker, that it has been a very tough one. I admit that I did write to John Howard only last week about the issue of X-rated videos. That is something that I am very passionate about. I also have to say that, as a private citizen, I would be very pleased and I would applaud Mr Andrews if he were able to get this up. But once again I come back to the issue that I am an elected representative in this house.

I was going to stand and remind people that the majority of people did not really want us when they were asked. Probably more people do not want us, after having a number of years of the Assembly, but I am very proud to be here. I often question how Dennis Stevenson could have cashed his pay cheque every fortnight. What was he - Abolish Self Government or No Self Government?

Mr Moore: Abolish.

MR OSBORNE: Did he introduce any legislation to abolish self-government?

Mr De Domenico: He tried.

MR OSBORNE: He tried, did he? Mr Speaker, this is a tough one for me. I suppose the big thing for me is that an issue like euthanasia does have national significance. However, I am quite bemused that most people in here seem to think that it is okay that the Federal Government can control censorship yet not control euthanasia. I struck a hurdle recently with my magazine issue. From discussions I had previously I thought the Assembly members were quite comfortable with it. Other States are able to deal with that issue quite easily. The majority of States have similar legislation in place.

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