Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I don't intend to detain the Senate for very long in making my remarks. If Senator Canavan was hoping to speak and seeks the call before six o'clock, he should be able to.

I simply want to indicate that I do intend to support the motion before us. I do so with a view that we ought to proceed very cautiously and carefully with reforms related to dying with dignity. I note that the approach that was taken both in New South Wales and in Victoria involved extensive public consultation and extensive parliamentary debate. To that extent, and to the extent that the motion before us alludes to those processes and those kinds of community engagements necessary for reforms of this kind, I am willing to support it. However, I think the motion's language refers to encouraging the states and territories to proceed in this way. I would support it on the proviso that it was a very engaging debate which involved everyone in the community. It is on that basis that I'm willing to provide my support.