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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 10 Hansard (24 September) . . Page.. 3259 ..

MS McRAE (continuing):

their home circumstances absolve them from the need to learn to read and write, or are an excuse, or are in some way involved. Every child should have an equal opportunity to learn to read and write at school, and I do not think there is any evidence in this paper that those kids who are failing, and our tests are showing that they are, are being treated with the sort of respect they need.

MR STEFANIAK (Minister for Education and Training): I seek leave to make a couple of points, Mr Temporary Deputy Speaker.

MR TEMPORARY DEPUTY SPEAKER: You have already spoken, Mr Stefaniak. Do you wish to use standing order 47?

MR STEFANIAK: Yes, Mr Temporary Deputy Speaker, in relation to a couple of points Ms McRae raised. She made a comment about aunty not wanting to read it. Ms McRae is right in saying that there are homes where there is no incentive for kids to read, and that is difficult; but to say that that is where there are not parents is probably doing a great disservice to the uncles, aunts, carers and guardians who might be looking after kids. I think that is inappropriate. Obviously, there are some difficult homes, and that is often where there are one or two parents there.

MR TEMPORARY DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! We are not continuing the debate. The question is: That the motion be agreed to.

A vote having been called for and the bells being rung -

Mr Stefaniak: I seek leave to withdraw my call for a vote.

Leave granted.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Ms McRae: On a point of order, Mr Temporary Deputy Speaker: May I make it absolutely clear that this Assembly agrees that the definition of "chapter" in this instance includes a letter, a page, perhaps two pages, and it does not have to be part of the paper.

Mr Stefaniak: For the record, I note what Ms McRae says and accept it.

EUTHANASIA REFERENDUM BILL 1997

Debate resumed from 18 June 1997, on motion by Mr Moore:

That this Bill be agreed to in principle.

Debate (on motion by Mr Osborne) adjourned.

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