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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 6 Hansard (2 September) . . Page.. 1747 ..

MR OSBORNE (continuing):

Mr Speaker, I thank members for the support that they have shown to me to have this issue debated in this place. As I said, it has not been an easy time for anybody because this is such an emotional issue. I would ask, though, that in the next few weeks or months that they have a look at the Bill and have a look at how the law is at the moment.

Mr Berry: I take a point of order, Mr Speaker.

MR SPEAKER: I uphold the point of order, Mr Osborne. Do not canvass the Bill.

MR OSBORNE: Yes, Mr Speaker. Okay, Mr Speaker, I will take that on board. I think it is important that this Bill stay on the table because I am not prepared to give the cowards in this place excuses not to support the Bill for any reason other than they are too scared. The Bill has been there for a week now. Things have been said to me, such as: "I am against abortion - I think that life starts from day one - but your Bill is flawed". That was exposed yesterday in our scrutiny of Bills meeting when the legal adviser - - -

Mr Moore: No, it was not.

Mr Berry: No, it was not.

MR OSBORNE: The Bill is flawed if you do not support it, Mr Speaker.

Mr Berry: The Bill is socially faulty.

Mr Moore: Relevance, Mr Speaker.

MR OSBORNE: The Bill is flawed if you do not accept it, Mr Speaker.

Mr Berry: A point of order, Mr Speaker.

MR SPEAKER: Do not canvass the Bill.

MR OSBORNE: Yes, Mr Speaker. I am very keen for the Bill to stay there because, as I said, I want people to be exposed. If they do not want to support the Bill because they are too cowardly, I accept that. I grudgingly respect the Michael Moores, and even the Wayne Berrys and the Kate Carnells, who have come out and said quite clearly that they do not believe this. I accept that, Mr Speaker. What I do not accept is people who are too scared to have a look at themselves.

Anyway, Mr Speaker, I am pleased that the majority of members will not be supporting this motion moved by Mr Berry. It is pathetic. As Ms Carnell quoted from 1994, and even from last week when Mr Berry tried to set a date in December, I think, for the Bill to be discussed, Mr Speaker - - -

Mr Berry: We won that debate, Paul. You went to water, in the end.

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