Page 4114 - Week 13 - Tuesday, 15 November 2005
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We know that a couple of jurisdictions have taken substantive steps to address the concern about protecting the unborn and protecting pregnant women. While this amendment is nowhere near as strong as the proposed New South Wales legislation and existing Queensland laws, I strongly encourage the Chief Minister to very quickly adopt the legislation that we have previously tabled here because this amendment simply will not go far enough.
I notice, for example, that this is simply an amendment that allows a court to take matters into consideration. They might be able to take into consideration offences against the pregnant woman. That is a woeful, pale imitation of the provisions of law that we have seen in other states and the model that the opposition has proposed and tabled in recent times. It is still not strong enough, but at least the Chief Minister has identified that there is a need to be addressed.
Perhaps he will move at some stage to strengthen the law. Again, I strongly encourage the Chief Minister to bring back the legislation previously tabled by the opposition. I do not care whether you rebadge it and amend it accordingly. Let us not lose any more time on this issue, Chief Minister. This amendment that you are proposing does not go anywhere near far enough in plugging that gap.
Mr Stanhope: It does not go anywhere near your legislation, for very good reason. Your proposal was an absolute disgrace.
MR PRATT: I point out the Chief Minister’s hypocrisy, Mr Speaker.
Mr Stanhope: You don’t think it had anything to do with abortion, do you?
MR PRATT: I point out the Chief Minister’s hypocrisy, Mr Speaker.
Mr Stanhope: Your hypocrisy. Just be honest. You don’t believe women should be able to have the choice.
THE SPEAKER: Order, Chief Minister!
Mr Stanhope: That’s what it’s about. It’s about abortion.
MR SPEAKER: Order, Chief Minister!
Mr Stanhope: Just be honest.
MR SPEAKER: Order, Chief Minister!
MR PRATT: Good luck, Mr Speaker, in trying to find order.
THE SPEAKER: I do not need luck.
MR PRATT: I know. You have authority. If I may continue, I remark upon and identify the Chief Minister’s hypocrisy in the attacks that he has launched on the opposition regarding the legislation that we have previously tabled. The Chief Minister indeed
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