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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 6 Hansard (2 September) . . Page.. 1739 ..

Ms Carnell: It does not say that. It says, "request him to withdraw the Bill".

MR STANHOPE: Of course it suggests that he withdraw the Bill, which actually is a request of - - -

Mr Corbell: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. The Chief Minister is continually interjecting and she is out of order.

MR SPEAKER: Order! I uphold the point of order. Thank you.

MR STANHOPE: It is a request to Mr Osborne by those within the Labor Party to reconsider the wisdom of what he has done. We cannot direct Mr Osborne to withdraw his Bill. We do not seek to direct Mr Osborne to withdraw his Bill. We do not seek to inhibit debate. We are quite happy to have this debate. I will debate this issue anywhere and at any time.

Ms Carnell: You cannot debate it if it is not on the notice paper.

MR STANHOPE: If this motion is successful today and if Mr Osborne ignores the request, of course the matter will come forward and we will debate it, and each of us will debate it according to our conscience. Each of us will debate it according to our individual positions on it. This is a matter of conscience within the Labor Party and it will be debated by members of the Labor Party on that basis. None of us is afraid of the debate. Each of us will stand up and express our heartfelt views on the issue. We are responding to the very clear message which has been delivered over the last week by the people of Canberra about this motion. I do not question Mr Osborne's right to bring this Bill forward. I do not question it for a minute. I respect his right to bring this motion forward.

Mr Stefaniak: Let him do it.

Mr Humphries: Why are you moving this motion?

MR STANHOPE: I have said that from the start. I respect that right. I disagree with him and I will oppose him, and he knows that; but I in no way question his right, and I in no way seek to inhibit his right, to have the matter debated. Nor does the Labor Party. We are simply - - -

Ms Carnell: Then why have you got a motion to stop him doing it?

MR SPEAKER: Order, please! Interjections are out of order from either side of the house.

MR STANHOPE: On that point of order: In this instance, Mr Speaker, could you address your remarks to the other side and not this side?

MR SPEAKER: It is all right. I am just warning everybody.

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