Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 10 Hansard (25 November) . . Page.. 2955 ..

MR SMYTH (continuing):

Mr Speaker, if the figure of 2,000 abortions a year is true for the ACT, that is some 40 abortions a week. We are talking of 10 or 12 weeks before this committee would report. That is another 500 lives that may potentially be saved. I am for giving those lives the opportunity. A bit of information may save them. I hope that the rest of the Assembly will vote accordingly.

MR SPEAKER: The question is that Mr Berry's motion be agreed to. Mr Berry, to close the debate.

Mr Berry: I think we should have a quorum first, Mr Speaker. I might want to speak to the crowd.

MR SPEAKER: A quorum is required. I am not sure that anybody else will bother to speak, Mr Berry, but you do require a quorum. You shall have one.

Mr Berry: Yes. I want to see if they want to speak. I want to listen to them. I am not like this mob opposite.

(Quorum formed)

MR SPEAKER: I call on Mr Berry to close the debate.

Mr Berry: Unless somebody else wants to speak on the matter.

MR SPEAKER: I beg your pardon?

Mr Hird: Who is running this ship?

Mr Berry: I just thought somebody else might have been half asleep and might have wanted - - -

Mr Hird: That is very generous of you, but he is the Speaker.

MR SPEAKER: Nobody stood up.

MR BERRY (10.16), in reply: Thank you, Mr Speaker. I note the informative contribution made to the debate by Mr Smyth from the government benches.

Mr Smyth: I am pleased that you are pleased.

MR BERRY: It was as helpful as usual and quite out of the field. It was just a lot of nonsense and you know it. I do not know why you keep saying it. Whom are you trying to impress with that rubbish?

Mr Smyth: No, it is only nonsense because you choose to ignore the reality of it.

MR BERRY: The fact of the matter is that it will not stop one termination and you know it. You go on with all of this melodrama about saving lives and all of that nonsense. This is about humiliating women. Accept your responsibility, Minister.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .