Page 4431 - Week 14 - Thursday, 1 December 1994
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The legislation that we passed in the Assembly yesterday amends the Act to provide that legal proceedings will not be taken against a person who is in possession of or using a small amount of cannabis; that is, fewer than five plants or less than 25 grams. If this person or their carer - - -
Mr Connolly: Madam Speaker, I have to take a point of order. The standing orders do allow a private member to be asked a question about a Bill of which they have the carriage. Mrs Carnell does have carriage of the HIV Notification Bill. She is giving us a long and interesting answer, and digging the hole deeper than she did in her foolish political stunt on cannabis yesterday. But I have to ask whether the question is in order.
Mr Moore: On the point of order, Madam Speaker: My question asked for a comparison, and that is the answer I am receiving. I am very pleased with the answer, although I can understand why the Minister for Health would be feeling uncomfortable about his hypocrisy.
MADAM SPEAKER: Order! I am sure that Mrs Carnell knows the provisions of the standing orders.
MRS CARNELL: I will make sure that I compare the pieces of legislation, Madam Speaker. The amendment passed yesterday provides that legal proceedings - and I stress that - will not be taken against a person who is in possession of a small amount of cannabis if the person or their carer is part of a medical research program conducted by a medical practitioner. The medical practitioner must certify in writing that the person is using, or is in possession of, cannabis which has been administered as part of a medical research program for the treatment of a physical or mental condition such as AIDS. This amendment does not, in my view - - -
Mr Connolly: I take a point of order, Madam Speaker. I want to caution Mrs Carnell against misleading the Assembly. The phrase "medical research program" appears nowhere in the amendment passed yesterday. Mrs Carnell, once again, is misinformed and foolish, and she is digging herself deeper and deeper into dangerous ground. I prefer her to not mislead the Assembly.
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Connolly, order!
Mr Humphries: Madam Speaker, I would ask Mr Connolly to withdraw the remark about being foolish. It was ruled on yesterday, I think, in this place.
Mr Connolly: I am sorry. I am warning Mrs Carnell against misleading the Assembly. She is saying that the Bill passed yesterday refers to medical research programs. It does not.
MRS CARNELL: It says "medical research".
Mr Connolly: Yes; but not "medical research programs". There is a very important difference.
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