Page 4608 - Week 13 - Wednesday, 27 November 2019
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As I have said before, I am disappointed with the position taken by Senator Seselja, a senator for the ACT. To have a situation where a senator for the ACT does not support our right to have these restrictions removed is particularly disappointing and is in stark contrast to work done by the senators for the Northern Territory. I have no doubt that there are differences of opinion in the Northern Territory, as there are everywhere else, but parliamentarians there have been united in their support for territory rights.
I heard Mr Coe’s speech on this subject and I do acknowledge that some people are conflating the two issues, but we need to think about it sensibly. There is the right of the ACT and the Northern Territory assemblies to make legislation on this and represent the views of their constituents. There is also the appreciably diverse range of views on the substantive matter of voluntary assisted dying. I think we are old enough and mature enough to separate the two issues.
The views of Senator Seselja are in stark contrast to those of a former senator for the ACT, Gary Humphries, who has in the past, despite his personal views on the specific issue, voted for territory rights. Over the years Gary Humphries has been very strong in his views about the Greens—he is no friend of ours—but in the past he has demonstrated the ability to think about issues carefully and recognise the greater issue that is at stake here, despite his personal difference of opinion on specific issues.
I am also very grateful to our Senate colleagues. All nine Greens senators have previously indicated their support for territory rights. I know we are the only party that has a unanimous view on this matter, and I very much thank our senators from various jurisdictions around the country for supporting our right to self-govern on all matters, including voluntary assisted dying. I am grateful for the work of our parliamentary leader, Senator Richard Di Natale, and his office in liaising on and advocating for territory rights with his parliamentary colleagues, although, as we all know, without success to date.
I note that before Senator Leyonhjelm’s unsuccessful attempt, there was an attempt jointly sponsored by a former Chief Minister, Senator Katy Gallagher, and Senator Richard Di Natale to remove the Andrews bill. That, I think, lapsed when Senator Gallagher had to resign from the Senate due to the unfortunate citizenship debacle.
The Greens remain undeterred. We will certainly support any attempts to remove this bill. I understand, from talking to our parliamentary colleagues, that if they think there is any practical chance of success, they would be the first to either sponsor, or probably preferably co-sponsor with another party, a bill to get rid of the Andrews bill.
As I said, the Greens are undeterred. The fight to restore territory rights will continue. We are disappointed that the debate continues without a positive resolution. There must come a time when the Australian parliament realises the error of its ways and restores the territories’ rights to debate these issues. I look forward to that day for the people of the ACT, and for the people of the Northern Territory, who are in the same position as us, as far as this is concerned.
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