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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 04 Hansard (Thursday, 1 April 2004) . . Page.. 1598 ..

MR CORBELL (Minister for Health and Minister for Planning) (10.36): I have reflected on this amendment and I have listened carefully to the arguments put forward by Mrs Dunne. I accept that Mrs Dunne’s philosophical premise is based on the fact that these embryos represent human life. I do not see it as a moral dilemma, per se, if anyone chooses to accept the view that they do not represent human life. In my view these embryos do not represent human life and they are not human beings; they are the precursor to human beings.

Mrs Dunne and others are of the view that life begins at conception, but others—and I include myself among them—are of the view that life occurs some time later. We all have to make a judgment about when life begins and when a human being comes into existence. Within the parameters proposed in this legislation, I do not accept that an embryo is in any way a human being. For me and for many other Australians there is no moral dilemma in that regard. It is a complicated issue but no moral dilemma is involved. It is not a case of flushing life down the sink because, in my view, it is not human life.

Question put:

That Mrs Dunne’s amendment be agreed to.

The Assembly voted -

Question so resolved in the negative.

Suspension of standing order 76

Motion (by Mr Hargreaves) agreed to, with the concurrence of an absolute majority:

That standing order 76 be suspended for the remainder of the sitting.

MRS DUNNE (10.41): I move amendment No 2 circulated in my name [see schedule 6 at page 1616].

This amendment also refers to the definition of “exempt use”. One of the exempt uses is the destruction of unsuitable embryos to help in assisted reproductive technology. Members would be aware that I am concerned about the whole concept of assisted reproductive technology. I think this amendment will help to make the process of assisted reproductive technology more licit and less inclined to be dependent on eugenic-type research. We are saying, “This embryo is not good enough to implant, so we will fiddle with it and, in the long run, destroy it.” From my point of view that is not a moral way in which to proceed and it is not a moral way in which to legislate.

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