Page 2565 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 24 August 1994
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legislative initiatives use the argument that the public is too ignorant to initiate and vote on the rules of the community, the mere act of participating in the process would dramatically increase the level of public interest and knowledge. That is certainly the experience in the United States.
Does anybody in this Assembly believe that people are incapable of understanding issues? I certainly hope not. Does anyone here think that average voters are too ignorant or irresponsible to decide on issues that affect their everyday lives or the lives of their families? It appears that nobody thinks that. Are there any members of this Assembly who believe that people are not able to make sound judgments on the rules of our community? If you do, I invite you to tell the Assembly right now; but I am sure that you will not. That being the case, does anyone here believe that the people of the Territory should not be allowed to participate directly in deciding on matters that affect them?
Madam Speaker, the tide of events is flowing so that this Bill, hopefully, will pass. It is only a matter of when rather than if. The community does not want any more power for politicians. You only have to look at their response every single time they are asked. The only power that needs increasing is the power of the people themselves. Whatever happens in this community in terms of the rules by which we live should not be decided by a few politicians and should not be imposed by narrow interest groups via the political party in power at the time. Whatever happens should happen because the people decide that that is what they want. Surely that is democracy. This legislation gives the people of the Territory that power. I commend the Bill to the Assembly. I seek leave to present the explanatory memorandum.
Leave granted.
MRS CARNELL: I present the explanatory memorandum to this Bill.
Debate (on motion by Mr Stevenson) adjourned.
CRIMES (AMENDMENT) BILL (NO. 2) 1994
MR BERRY (Manager of Government Business) (10.49): I present the Crimes (Amendment) Bill (No. 2) 1994.
Title read by Clerk.
MR BERRY: I move:
That this Bill be agreed to in principle.
In the Australian Capital Territory, Labor's policy on the provision of abortions is unequivocal. It calls for safe and legal abortion on request. Clearly, this policy recognises that safety and legality are interdependent. More importantly, it recognises that the decision belongs with the woman. Labor's platform is therefore pro-choice. Let me say at the outset that I wholeheartedly support our platform.
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