Page 2832 - Week 13 - Wednesday, 22 November 1989

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Once again, the word "arbitrary" can mean the choice. The choice of whom? The choice of the parent? Check the definition of "arbitrary" if you do not understand that.

Article 18 indicates that the parents or, as the case may be, legal guardians have the primary responsibility for the upbringing and development of the child. The best interests of the child will be their basic concern. Where are the best interests of the children laid out in the articles - under article 2, under article 15, under article 13 and under article 16? These are the best interests - to allow the child to freely associate, to freedom of expression, regardless of whether it is pornography, because it does not exclude that and that is not against the law. You do not address the issues; that is the problem.

Mr Moore said something about Dennis Stevenson not doing anything to abolish this Assembly. Well, he obviously forgets that on 4 July I did raise a matter to look at the constitutional legality, once again looking at the law. All I said was that there are valid, serious questions that need to be answered. Mr Moore was one of the 16 people who voted against that matter. Once again, if anybody wants to debate that matter, I would be happy to do so. The debate would be that there are not serious legal considerations regarding the constitutional validity of this Assembly. Mr Speaker, I request an extension of time.

Leave not granted.

Mr Stevenson: This is a classic case of not being prepared to look at the evidence and allow debate.

Question put:

That the amendment (Mr Collaery's) be agreed to.

The Assembly voted -

AYES, 7  NOES, 10

Mr Collaery Mr Berry
Mr Humphries Mr Duby
Mr Jensen Ms Follett
Mr Kaine Mrs Grassby
Dr Kinloch Ms Maher
Mrs Nolan Mr Moore
Mr Stefaniak Mr Prowse
 Mr Stevenson
 Mr Whalan
 Mr Wood

Question so resolved in the negative.


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