Tuesday was dominated by the Reproductive Health Care Reform Bill 2019. The message from the Assembly forwarding the bill was reported, the Social Issues Committee report was received and the House agreed to vary the conduct of business to deal with the second reading of the bill.
Reproductive Health Care Reform Bill 2019
On Tuesday, the Standing Committee on Social Issues tabled its report on the provisions of the Reproductive Health Care Reform Bill 2019.
As previously reported, the bill passed the Legislative Assembly on Thursday 8 August. Tuesday was the first opportunity for the receipt of the bill from the Assembly to be reported to the House and when it was reported Ms Sharpe (ALP) took carriage of the private members bill. The first reading of the bill was agreed to and the second reading set down for debate.
The House subsequently agreed that the bill would be debated on Tuesday and Wednesday this week but amendments to the bill would not be considered until Tuesday 17 September 2019. An amendment to allow debate to continue on Thursday, moved by Mr Searle (ALP), so as to allow members the fullest opportunity to participate and allow the House to conclude the debate this week (if not finished on Wednesday), was defeated on division (19:20). See Hansard for a transcript of the debate.
The second reading commenced and by the adjournment of the House at 10.40 pm, 16 members had spoken in the debate. For all members, this is clearly a matter on which careful thought and reflection has been given.
Mr Borsak moved an amendment to the second reading debate to refer the bill to a Joint Select Committee. The vote on the amendment will be taken at the end of the second reading debate.
Adjournment debate
The following members spoke to the adjournment debate:
- Mr Farlow – New South Wales Friends of Religious Freedom
- Ms Sharpe – Tribute to Ivan De Vulder
- Mr Roberts – Yass Infrastructure
- Mr Franklin – Teven-Tintenbar Public School Country Fair
- Mr Mookhey – Gig Economy
- Mr Shoebridge – Generation Gap