Page 2876 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 14 August 2019
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I point members to paragraphs 2(a) and 2(b) of Ms Cody’s motion, which make reference to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal ruling. The decision also notes that the federal minister had indicated that they would be appealing that decision. It seems that that appeal has been lodged since Ms Cody drafted her motion.
MADAM SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr Wall. Can you just give me a moment to consider this.
Members interjecting—
Mr Wall: Madam Speaker, may we suggest that, whilst you receive advice on that, we could proceed to private members’ business notice No 4? We could return to this motion following the opportunity for you to consider whether or not we debate this motion.
MADAM SPEAKER: I am inclined to go there. My view is that it has been appealed, but we have had matters discussed here that are before the courts and I have just reminded people a number of times to be very careful of their comments so as not to run afoul of continuing resolution 10. I am of a mind to continue, unless you are agreeable to postponing this until after lunch, Ms Cody. I am happy to proceed, but people will be put on notice to make sure that they do not run afoul of continuing resolution 10.
Mr Rattenbury: Can I just clarify, Madam Speaker? You are saying that there is no point of order and we can proceed with caution?
MADAM SPEAKER: Yes. Let us proceed, but I will be very mindful and listening quite intently. Ms Cody, you have the floor.
MS CODY: Madam Speaker, I like sex. I think most people do. It is a normal, healthy part of life. One of the greatest advances in our society over the last 50 years is the acceptance that sex is a natural and important part of the human experience. Sexy times are not something we should be awkward or embarrassed about. It is a bodily function as important as any other in a healthy lifestyle. And it is a bodily function that should be discussed openly and celebrated for the joy it brings people.
That is what I intend to do today. Whilst I have paid strict attention to the standing orders relating to obscenity in preparing my speech, I also intend to use the vernacular correctly. Discussing the sex lives of people with disabilities using euphemisms and infantilising language is disrespectful and damaging. There are a range of words that were once commonly used for people with disabilities that are no longer used, as they suggested less than full personhood and denied humanity. The denial of sexuality, either by the means that the National Disability Insurance Agency attempted or by using infantilising language, is a continuation of the same thing. It is the sort of thing we need to put behind us as a community.
I have brought this motion forward today because the right of people with a disability to lawful sexual release is under threat. When the NDIS was first established, one of
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