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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 8 Hansard (21 August) . . Page.. 3072 ..

MR STEFANIAK (continuing):

The points raised about why we must go down this path are compelling in the circumstances but, for someone who has grown up with the six-year rule for adults, as well as for anyone else, it is a bitter pill to swallow that we are making what is a substantial departure from the law. I do note, however, that there are some lawyers who are slack and there are things that happen that people should be vigilant about. However, it is much more common now than it was, say, a decade ago for people to be quite prepared to sue professionals for their negligence. That, of course, includes lawyers. It is obviously the ultimate action anyone can take.

Some of these points were raised by Mrs Cross and, indeed, were made very ably by Mrs Moore when she spoke to me about this. So, with some reluctance, I accept the reasons the government has gone down this path. I think in all the circumstances it is necessary, but in some ways it is a rather sad step to have to take.

Question put:

The Assembly voted-

Ayes 3  		Noes 10

Mrs Cross    	Mr Berry  	Ms MacDonald
Ms Dundas    	Mrs Burke  	Mr Pratt
Ms Tucker    	Mr Cornwell  	Mr Stanhope
     		Ms Gallagher  	Mr Stefaniak
     		Mr Hargreaves  	Mr Wood

Amendment negatived.

MR SPEAKER: I am reminded you have a further amendment on this pink sheet to clause 58, Mrs Cross.

Mr Stanhope: On a point of order, Mr Speaker, parliamentary counsel has made an error. This is actually my amendment.

MR SPEAKER: If the Chief Minister were to seek leave to move the amendment circulated in Mrs Cross's name, he could move it. The chair is informed that there has been an error and an amendment circulated in Mrs Cross's name is a government amendment. Is that right?

Mrs Cross: There was an amendment that I did not move, Mr Speaker. Earlier, when I went to move something that I was going to withdraw, I was told I did not have to withdraw it because it had not been moved, so I thought I would just stay silent.

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