MOTION TO ADJOURN DEBATE
[11.36 a.m.]
Ms O’CONNOR (Hobart) – I thought I would speak in support of that. We have been through a really regrettable process this morning where a bill which passed through the House of Assembly two months ago, with an amendment that was agreed to by the House. It has sat on the books, then last night we get an amendment to remove the Greens’ amendment that was agreed to by the House. Now, most members attended this morning’s briefing and I think there is a general view that we’re being rushed here and potentially being asked to accept an amendment which is ill considered, unconsulted and, in my view at least, insulting to people who may be eligible to apply for some sort of redress or compensation.
An adjournment at this point is really important; then we can consider whether or not the Gender and Equality Committee is the best place to have this question asked and answered because it still puts us in the difficult position of politicians setting a potential compensation rate.
Motion agreed to.
MOTION TO REFER TO COMMITTEE
[11.52 a.m.]
Ms O’CONNOR (Hobart) – In response to the Leader’s uncertainty about the will of the House – that is the thing, is it not? There is a lot of uncertainty in here about how we respond to the amended bill and the amendment that has been put forward by government. I can see the merits in sending it to the Gender and Equality Committee, but also the disadvantage in that it could take some months.
Guide me where I am wrong on the standing orders here, but perhaps, given that we have adjourned debate on the bill and in the absence of a form of words or motion requesting the government ‘go away and work on this’ so the mood of the council is more resolved, I am hoping that is the message government is taking from this. Perhaps during the break, while this is adjourned, the government could commit to working up an amendment we are all happy with.
Also, consulting with Equality Tasmania, for example, who were not consulted in the process of developing the amendment to replace the Greens’ amendment, which was agreed by the majority of the House.
Motion agreed to.
