Page 422 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 14 February 2017
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laws to narrow the scope of marriage in Australia. I look forward to the day when that law is changed and we have true equality in this country.
MR RAMSAY (Ginninderra—Attorney-General, Minister for Regulatory Services, Minister for the Arts and Community Events and Minister for Veterans and Seniors) (4.51): I simply rise to draw this matter to a close and to note there is potentially some misunderstanding on the two different concepts that are going on. One is technical and one is significance. There are technical matters that are before us. There are technical changes that are being made. They have significant impact on the way that people live their lives. In fact, if the changes were technical and insignificant, I would have sent back the brief when it first arrived and said there was no point in spending resources on making technical changes that have no impact on people’s lives.
This bill and the amendment are, indeed, technical. They are also significant. They will have a positive impact on people’s lives. They will have a positive impact on the way that people choose to live.
I note in passing that there have been some comments made around the plebiscite. Let me simply reflect on my experience, which is that I have sat with a great many people in the LGBTI community who have expressed to me significant concern at what was the potential under the plebiscite, and there are good, sound reasons to focus on people as to why decisions have been made.
There will be, I am sure, further time to debate and note the ongoing commitment of this particular government to inclusivity in marriage and in relationships. I simply note that that is something that is shared by every member on this side of the Assembly.
Amendment agreed to.
Bill, as a whole, as amended, agreed to.
Bill, as amended, agreed to.
Crimes Legislation Amendment Bill 2017
Mr Rattenbury, pursuant to notice, presented the bill, its explanatory statement and a Human Rights Act compatibility statement.
Title read by Clerk.
MR RATTENBURY (Kurrajong—Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability, Minister for Justice and Consumer Affairs and Road Safety, Minister for Corrections and Minister for Mental Health) (4.54): I move:
That this bill be agreed to in principle.
The Crimes Legislation Amendment Bill 2017 makes technical amendments to two acts under which the Director-General of the Justice and Community Safety
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