Page 1910 - Week 06 - Thursday, 8 June 2006
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MR STEFANIAK: I reiterate that that we support your motion to go to the Governor-General, because that is the right of the territory and that is something that we will always support. Three, we do not think your Civil Unions Bill is the right way to go. We have had that debate.
Mr Corbell: Should that override the law, Mr Stefaniak?
MR STEFANIAK: I have already told you we support your right to go to the Governor-General. Just get your facts right.
Amendment negatived.
MR CORBELL (Molonglo—Attorney-General, Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Minister for Planning) (11.36), in reply: Very, very briefly, in closing the debate, I thank members for their comments on this motion. This is an important step that the territory, through the Assembly, is making today. The steps that will follow from this are for you, Mr Speaker, to communicate this message, this address, to His Excellency. I hope to see all members who feel strongly about this issue and who reject the commonwealth’s proposals to overturn our legislation join with you in presenting personally this address to the Governor-General.
I again reiterate the point I have just made: we are yet to hear from the Liberal Party any claim that overturning this legislation is unacceptable. In fact, they are silent on that point. Clearly, they believe it is okay for a piece of legislation made lawfully by this place to be overturned simply by brute legal force.
This is an important opportunity for us to communicate our complete opposition to the proposal put forward by the federal government. We will be forcefully pursuing all avenues to see that this legislation and the rights of this place are always upheld.
Motion agreed to.
Standing orders—suspension
Motion (by Mr Corbell) agreed to, with the concurrence of an absolute majority:
That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent the Assembly proceeding to a vote on the Address.
Question put:
That Mr Corbell’s motion be agreed to.
The Assembly voted—
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