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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 6 Hansard (18 June) . . Page.. 1714 ..

MR SPEAKER: I would like to recognise the presence in the gallery of a politics group from Lyneham High. Welcome to your Assembly.

MR MOORE (10.50): Mr Speaker, I present the Euthanasia Referendum Bill 1997, together with a copy of the explanatory memorandum.

Title read by Clerk.

MR MOORE: I move:

That this Bill be agreed to in principle.

This is a proposal for a referendum. It seems to me that a range of matters were discussed by members when we debated the issue of voluntary active euthanasia. One of the constant suggestions was that we proceed to a referendum, that we ask the people what their view is on voluntary active euthanasia. Whatever we do on the issue of voluntary active euthanasia, since the Federal Parliament has now passed the Bill that was tabled by Kevin Andrews, we must work within the parameters set by the Federal Parliament. I take this opportunity, Mr Speaker, to foreshadow to you and to members that in the next sittings of the Assembly I will be introducing a piece of legislation which I believe will provide a reasonable regime for dealing with voluntary active euthanasia but which still works within the parameters of the very restrictive Bill put up by Mr Andrews and supported by the majority of members of the Federal Parliament.

Mr Speaker, this Bill is presented to allow for the conduct of a referendum. It relies on the Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act 1994, which, in turn, relies on the Electoral Act 1994. There has been a widespread process of consultation on this Bill. I made a draft copy available to members and to the public. I had a series of responses to those; and, following those responses, I have modified the legislation, in particular, the questions. Each referendum enabling legislation must be passed by the Assembly, authorising the poll and specifying the unique features of the referendum. It is a particularly easy exercise, thanks to the Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act.

Clause 3 of this Bill, Mr Speaker, provides for interpretation of the terms in the Bill. Clause 4 sets out the date for the referendum, that is, the 1998 election; and, if there is a conflict with a Federal election, then the date will shift; but this referendum will shift with it. The next clause provides some details on the form of the ballot paper. I should point out to members that I did provide a copy for the Electoral Commissioner, who made some comments, and I made modifications according to the comments of the Electoral Commissioner.

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