Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 10 Hansard (25 November) . . Page.. 3013 ..

MR HIRD (continuing):

I know the hour is late, but I do feel that I have an obligation, as an elected member, to state the reasons why I will be supporting Mr Moore's amendment. I am also persuaded by our colleague Mr Rugendyke in his firm stand, one that I admire him for and one that he has had first-hand knowledge of. As someone who, representing an electorate, has had a number of dealings with women in a difficult predicament at a young age, I know that they certainly grow up very quickly when it comes to making a decision. As I said, I share the sentiments and argument put forward by the Chief Minister.

Question put:

That the amendment (Mr Humphries') be agreed to.

The Assembly voted -

AYES, 5		 NOES, 12

Mr Humphries	Mr Berry
Mr Kaine	Ms Carnell
Mr Osborne	Mr Corbell
Mr Smyth	Mr Cornwell
Mr Stefaniak	Mr Hargreaves
		Mr Hird
		Mr Moore
		Mr Quinlan
		Mr Rugendyke
		Mr Stanhope
		Ms Tucker
		Mr Wood
Question so resolved in the negative.

MR MOORE (Minister for Health and Community Care) (2.01 am): I move amendment No. 15 circulated in my name:

Page 5, line 9, subclause (1), omit the subclause, substitute the following subclause:

"(1) A person shall not perform an abortion on a woman unless her consent has been obtained in writing, stating the date and time, at a time not less than 72 hours after making a declaration under section 8.

Penalty: 50 penalty units.".

I have explained to members that this amendment provides a comprehensive requirement for consent, information and the cooling-off period of 72 hours within the system that was put up before. I do urge members to support it, although it is one of the things that I consider to be a significant compromise. I must say to members that, when I discussed the issue with Family Planning and other people, they indicated very clearly to me that

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .