Mary Henry (Independent)

I listened with some amusement to Senator Mansergh speaking about SenatorRobinson's Bill 30 years ago. The then Leader of the House had trouble physically holding the Bill on contraception in his hand so we have improved since then.

Senator Norris showed great restraint when he spoke about his disappointment on this matter, but I am also disappointed. It is not just the two people within a civil relationship who are affected but any children they may have had in a previous heterosexual relationship. The other partner cannot adopt or have custody or guardianship of any of those children, which leaves them in a vulnerable situation, demonstrating the urgency behind this legislation.

I respectfully remind Senator Dardis, who suggested that Senator Norris could be asked to delay discussion of this Bill, that I agreed to delay the discussion of my Bill on in vitro fertilisation. That was seven years ago. I agreed to the establishment of a commission and seven years later it still has not reported. Senator Norris could be a very old gentleman if he agreed to delay the Bill.