❓ Mr Barnett questions the Premier about public opposition to aspects of the Acts Amendment (Lesbian and Gay Law Reform) Bill 2001, suggesting it be split. Dr Gallop defends the bill, citing broader support for equality and criticising the previous government's inaction.
AnsweredQoN 655Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
ACTS AMENDMENT (LESBIAN AND GAY LAW REFORM) BILL 2001
I refer the Premier to last week’s Westpoll that revealed, among other things, an overwhelming 71 per cent opposition to gay and lesbian couples having access to adoption programs and in-vitro fertilisation technology; and that 60 per cent of Western Australians were opposed to lowering the age of consent for homosexual males to 16 years. Given the opposition in the community to the more controversial aspects of the reform package, will the Premier exercise some leadership and require the Bill to be split into two parts to enable bipartisan support for the non-controversial elements of the package; and further debate and consultation on the controversial and largely opposed proposals such as the age of consent, adoption and IVF treatment? Dr GALLOP
I refer the Premier to last week’s Westpoll that revealed, among other things, an overwhelming 71 per cent opposition to gay and lesbian couples having access to adoption programs and in-vitro fertilisation technology; and that 60 per cent of Western Australians were opposed to lowering the age of consent for homosexual males to 16 years. Given the opposition in the community to the more controversial aspects of the reform package, will the Premier exercise some leadership and require the Bill to be split into two parts to enable bipartisan support for the non-controversial elements of the package; and further debate and consultation on the controversial and largely opposed proposals such as the age of consent, adoption and IVF treatment? Dr GALLOP
AnswerView source ↗
The Leader of the Opposition very conveniently ignored one of the statistics that was presented in the poll; that is, 86 per cent of the Western Australian population wants to establish a regime of equality for all Western Australians. It is interesting that 86 per cent of the Western Australian people want it. It should have been done years ago. It is very interesting that the Leader of the Opposition says in the Parliament today that there will be “bipartisan support” for some aspects of the Bill. His side of the House had eight years to deal with this matter and it did not deal with it. As is the case with many issues in Western Australia, we inherited the unfinished business of reform. Western Australia now has a Government that has the courage to take up those matters and to reform them once and for all on behalf of all citizens of Western Australia. From time to time, there are differences of view between the people and the Parliament of Western Australia on specific matters or elements of specific matters. For example, for some time now the Parliament of Western Australia has reconfirmed its commitment to the abolition of capital punishment. However, I read in the newspaper from time to time that some opinion polls show that a majority of people want to reinstitute capital punishment. We will not do that, despite what the polls say on that matter. We on this side of the House are very relaxed about our commitments, principles and values. Western Australia has two Houses of Parliament that will consider the legislation that we have brought forward. Should the legislation pass through both Houses, we will be very pleased, and the laws of Western Australia will change. That is as it should be. That is why the Parliament was elected. The Parliament was elected to deal with these issues, no matter how controversial. The Labor side of the House has the courage to ensure there is equality for all citizens in Western Australia. Mr Hyde: Westpoll gave you only an 18 per cent rating. Tell us about that! The SPEAKER: Members! Mr Barnett: At least we on this side of the House get our deposit back. The SPEAKER: Members, it is highly disorderly to interject in a way that stops question time. If members want to interject, they should at least wait for a question to be asked or for an answer to be given. Interjecting between questions is unacceptable.
Dr GALLOP replied: The Leader of the Opposition very conveniently ignored one of the statistics that was presented in the poll; that is, 86 per cent of the Western Australian population wants to establish a regime of equality for all Western Australians. It is interesting that 86 per cent of the Western Australian people want it. It should have been done years ago. It is very interesting that the Leader of the Opposition says in the Parliament today that there will be “bipartisan support” for some aspects of the Bill. His side of the House had eight years to deal with this matter and it did not deal with it. As is the case with many issues in Western Australia, we inherited the unfinished business of reform. Western Australia now has a Government that has the courage to take up those matters and to reform them once and for all on behalf of all citizens of Western Australia. From time to time, there are differences of view between the people and the Parliament of Western Australia on specific matters or elements of specific matters. For example, for some time now the Parliament of Western Australia has reconfirmed its commitment to the abolition of capital punishment. However, I read in the newspaper from time to time that some opinion polls show that a majority of people want to reinstitute capital punishment. We will not do that, despite what the polls say on that matter. We on this side of the House are very relaxed about our commitments, principles and values. Western Australia has two Houses of Parliament that will consider the legislation that we have brought forward. Should the legislation pass through both Houses, we will be very pleased, and the laws of Western Australia will change. That is as it should be. That is why the Parliament was elected. The Parliament was elected to deal with these issues, no matter how controversial. The Labor side of the House has the courage to ensure there is equality for all citizens in Western Australia. Mr Hyde: Westpoll gave you only an 18 per cent rating. Tell us about that! The SPEAKER: Members! Mr Barnett: At least we on this side of the House get our deposit back. The SPEAKER: Members, it is highly disorderly to interject in a way that stops question time. If members want to interject, they should at least wait for a question to be asked or for an answer to be given. Interjecting between questions is unacceptable.
The Leader of the Opposition very conveniently ignored one of the statistics that was presented in the poll; that is, 86 per cent of the Western Australian population wants to establish a regime of equality for all Western Australians. It is interesting that 86 per cent of the Western Australian people want it. It should have been done years ago. It is very interesting that the Leader of the Opposition says in the Parliament today that there will be “bipartisan support” for some aspects of the Bill. His side of the House had eight years to deal with this matter and it did not deal with it. As is the case with many issues in Western Australia, we inherited the unfinished business of reform. Western Australia now has a Government that has the courage to take up those matters and to reform them once and for all on behalf of all citizens of Western Australia. From time to time, there are differences of view between the people and the Parliament of Western Australia on specific matters or elements of specific matters. For example, for some time now the Parliament of Western Australia has reconfirmed its commitment to the abolition of capital punishment. However, I read in the newspaper from time to time that some opinion polls show that a majority of people want to reinstitute capital punishment. We will not do that, despite what the polls say on that matter. We on this side of the House are very relaxed about our commitments, principles and values. Western Australia has two Houses of Parliament that will consider the legislation that we have brought forward. Should the legislation pass through both Houses, we will be very pleased, and the laws of Western Australia will change. That is as it should be. That is why the Parliament was elected. The Parliament was elected to deal with these issues, no matter how controversial. The Labor side of the House has the courage to ensure there is equality for all citizens in Western Australia. Mr Hyde: Westpoll gave you only an 18 per cent rating. Tell us about that! The SPEAKER: Members! Mr Barnett: At least we on this side of the House get our deposit back. The SPEAKER: Members, it is highly disorderly to interject in a way that stops question time. If members want to interject, they should at least wait for a question to be asked or for an answer to be given. Interjecting between questions is unacceptable.
From time to time, there are differences of view between the people and the Parliament of Western Australia on specific matters or elements of specific matters. For example, for some time now the Parliament of Western Australia has reconfirmed its commitment to the abolition of capital punishment. However, I read in the newspaper from time to time that some opinion polls show that a majority of people want to reinstitute capital punishment. We will not do that, despite what the polls say on that matter. We on this side of the House are very relaxed about our commitments, principles and values. Western Australia has two Houses of Parliament that will consider the legislation that we have brought forward. Should the legislation pass through both Houses, we will be very pleased, and the laws of Western Australia will change. That is as it should be. That is why the Parliament was elected. The Parliament was elected to deal with these issues, no matter how controversial. The Labor side of the House has the courage to ensure there is equality for all citizens in Western Australia. Mr Hyde: Westpoll gave you only an 18 per cent rating. Tell us about that! The SPEAKER: Members! Mr Barnett: At least we on this side of the House get our deposit back. The SPEAKER: Members, it is highly disorderly to interject in a way that stops question time. If members want to interject, they should at least wait for a question to be asked or for an answer to be given. Interjecting between questions is unacceptable.
We on this side of the House are very relaxed about our commitments, principles and values. Western Australia has two Houses of Parliament that will consider the legislation that we have brought forward. Should the legislation pass through both Houses, we will be very pleased, and the laws of Western Australia will change. That is as it should be. That is why the Parliament was elected. The Parliament was elected to deal with these issues, no matter how controversial. The Labor side of the House has the courage to ensure there is equality for all citizens in Western Australia. Mr Hyde: Westpoll gave you only an 18 per cent rating. Tell us about that! The SPEAKER: Members! Mr Barnett: At least we on this side of the House get our deposit back. The SPEAKER: Members, it is highly disorderly to interject in a way that stops question time. If members want to interject, they should at least wait for a question to be asked or for an answer to be given. Interjecting between questions is unacceptable.
Mr Hyde: Westpoll gave you only an 18 per cent rating. Tell us about that! The SPEAKER: Members! Mr Barnett: At least we on this side of the House get our deposit back. The SPEAKER: Members, it is highly disorderly to interject in a way that stops question time. If members want to interject, they should at least wait for a question to be asked or for an answer to be given. Interjecting between questions is unacceptable.
The SPEAKER: Members! Mr Barnett: At least we on this side of the House get our deposit back. The SPEAKER: Members, it is highly disorderly to interject in a way that stops question time. If members want to interject, they should at least wait for a question to be asked or for an answer to be given. Interjecting between questions is unacceptable.
Mr Barnett: At least we on this side of the House get our deposit back. The SPEAKER: Members, it is highly disorderly to interject in a way that stops question time. If members want to interject, they should at least wait for a question to be asked or for an answer to be given. Interjecting between questions is unacceptable.
The SPEAKER: Members, it is highly disorderly to interject in a way that stops question time. If members want to interject, they should at least wait for a question to be asked or for an answer to be given. Interjecting between questions is unacceptable.
Dr GALLOP replied: The Leader of the Opposition very conveniently ignored one of the statistics that was presented in the poll; that is, 86 per cent of the Western Australian population wants to establish a regime of equality for all Western Australians. It is interesting that 86 per cent of the Western Australian people want it. It should have been done years ago. It is very interesting that the Leader of the Opposition says in the Parliament today that there will be “bipartisan support” for some aspects of the Bill. His side of the House had eight years to deal with this matter and it did not deal with it. As is the case with many issues in Western Australia, we inherited the unfinished business of reform. Western Australia now has a Government that has the courage to take up those matters and to reform them once and for all on behalf of all citizens of Western Australia. From time to time, there are differences of view between the people and the Parliament of Western Australia on specific matters or elements of specific matters. For example, for some time now the Parliament of Western Australia has reconfirmed its commitment to the abolition of capital punishment. However, I read in the newspaper from time to time that some opinion polls show that a majority of people want to reinstitute capital punishment. We will not do that, despite what the polls say on that matter. We on this side of the House are very relaxed about our commitments, principles and values. Western Australia has two Houses of Parliament that will consider the legislation that we have brought forward. Should the legislation pass through both Houses, we will be very pleased, and the laws of Western Australia will change. That is as it should be. That is why the Parliament was elected. The Parliament was elected to deal with these issues, no matter how controversial. The Labor side of the House has the courage to ensure there is equality for all citizens in Western Australia. Mr Hyde: Westpoll gave you only an 18 per cent rating. Tell us about that! The SPEAKER: Members! Mr Barnett: At least we on this side of the House get our deposit back. The SPEAKER: Members, it is highly disorderly to interject in a way that stops question time. If members want to interject, they should at least wait for a question to be asked or for an answer to be given. Interjecting between questions is unacceptable.
The Leader of the Opposition very conveniently ignored one of the statistics that was presented in the poll; that is, 86 per cent of the Western Australian population wants to establish a regime of equality for all Western Australians. It is interesting that 86 per cent of the Western Australian people want it. It should have been done years ago. It is very interesting that the Leader of the Opposition says in the Parliament today that there will be “bipartisan support” for some aspects of the Bill. His side of the House had eight years to deal with this matter and it did not deal with it. As is the case with many issues in Western Australia, we inherited the unfinished business of reform. Western Australia now has a Government that has the courage to take up those matters and to reform them once and for all on behalf of all citizens of Western Australia. From time to time, there are differences of view between the people and the Parliament of Western Australia on specific matters or elements of specific matters. For example, for some time now the Parliament of Western Australia has reconfirmed its commitment to the abolition of capital punishment. However, I read in the newspaper from time to time that some opinion polls show that a majority of people want to reinstitute capital punishment. We will not do that, despite what the polls say on that matter. We on this side of the House are very relaxed about our commitments, principles and values. Western Australia has two Houses of Parliament that will consider the legislation that we have brought forward. Should the legislation pass through both Houses, we will be very pleased, and the laws of Western Australia will change. That is as it should be. That is why the Parliament was elected. The Parliament was elected to deal with these issues, no matter how controversial. The Labor side of the House has the courage to ensure there is equality for all citizens in Western Australia. Mr Hyde: Westpoll gave you only an 18 per cent rating. Tell us about that! The SPEAKER: Members! Mr Barnett: At least we on this side of the House get our deposit back. The SPEAKER: Members, it is highly disorderly to interject in a way that stops question time. If members want to interject, they should at least wait for a question to be asked or for an answer to be given. Interjecting between questions is unacceptable.
From time to time, there are differences of view between the people and the Parliament of Western Australia on specific matters or elements of specific matters. For example, for some time now the Parliament of Western Australia has reconfirmed its commitment to the abolition of capital punishment. However, I read in the newspaper from time to time that some opinion polls show that a majority of people want to reinstitute capital punishment. We will not do that, despite what the polls say on that matter. We on this side of the House are very relaxed about our commitments, principles and values. Western Australia has two Houses of Parliament that will consider the legislation that we have brought forward. Should the legislation pass through both Houses, we will be very pleased, and the laws of Western Australia will change. That is as it should be. That is why the Parliament was elected. The Parliament was elected to deal with these issues, no matter how controversial. The Labor side of the House has the courage to ensure there is equality for all citizens in Western Australia. Mr Hyde: Westpoll gave you only an 18 per cent rating. Tell us about that! The SPEAKER: Members! Mr Barnett: At least we on this side of the House get our deposit back. The SPEAKER: Members, it is highly disorderly to interject in a way that stops question time. If members want to interject, they should at least wait for a question to be asked or for an answer to be given. Interjecting between questions is unacceptable.
We on this side of the House are very relaxed about our commitments, principles and values. Western Australia has two Houses of Parliament that will consider the legislation that we have brought forward. Should the legislation pass through both Houses, we will be very pleased, and the laws of Western Australia will change. That is as it should be. That is why the Parliament was elected. The Parliament was elected to deal with these issues, no matter how controversial. The Labor side of the House has the courage to ensure there is equality for all citizens in Western Australia. Mr Hyde: Westpoll gave you only an 18 per cent rating. Tell us about that! The SPEAKER: Members! Mr Barnett: At least we on this side of the House get our deposit back. The SPEAKER: Members, it is highly disorderly to interject in a way that stops question time. If members want to interject, they should at least wait for a question to be asked or for an answer to be given. Interjecting between questions is unacceptable.
Mr Hyde: Westpoll gave you only an 18 per cent rating. Tell us about that! The SPEAKER: Members! Mr Barnett: At least we on this side of the House get our deposit back. The SPEAKER: Members, it is highly disorderly to interject in a way that stops question time. If members want to interject, they should at least wait for a question to be asked or for an answer to be given. Interjecting between questions is unacceptable.
The SPEAKER: Members! Mr Barnett: At least we on this side of the House get our deposit back. The SPEAKER: Members, it is highly disorderly to interject in a way that stops question time. If members want to interject, they should at least wait for a question to be asked or for an answer to be given. Interjecting between questions is unacceptable.
Mr Barnett: At least we on this side of the House get our deposit back. The SPEAKER: Members, it is highly disorderly to interject in a way that stops question time. If members want to interject, they should at least wait for a question to be asked or for an answer to be given. Interjecting between questions is unacceptable.
The SPEAKER: Members, it is highly disorderly to interject in a way that stops question time. If members want to interject, they should at least wait for a question to be asked or for an answer to be given. Interjecting between questions is unacceptable.
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