Ian Campbell (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for the Environment and Heritage) Share this | Hansard source

The incorporated speech read as follows—

I have closely considered the many submissions made to me on this issue and thank all of those citizens who have taken the trouble to write or phone me to discuss the issue.

I have decided to support the legislation because I believe that as a matter of procedure, the approvals process we have for drugs should be in the hands of an independent expert body. This is the generally applicable regime and I don’t believe RU486 should be an exception.

RU486 is an “abortion pill”. This debate does involve issues of life and death.

My view is that politicians and government must tread very cautiously into this space —a space that primarily is the private domain of the pregnant woman and the man, their trusted family and friends and medical professionals. It is a place for their conscience and—if they are people of religious belief—their God.

While I have great respect for those of my colleagues and those in the community who hold different views, I have always believed passionately in maximising individual freedom and limiting the role and size of government to achieve this.

I am therefore cautious and conservative when I contemplate the extent to which a government or politician should be involved in what is a deeply personal issue.

My colleague, Senator the Hon. Rod Kemp, is unable to be in the Senate for this vote as he is overseas on Government business in his capacity as Minister for the Arts and Sport.

Senator Kemp has indicated to me that he would have voted against the bill if the vote was held before his departure overseas. He also asked if anyone of a mind to vote for the legislation was prepared to “pair” his vote so that the true will of the Senate would be represented in the final count.

I informed Senator Kemp yesterday that I would “pair” him and intend to do so.