Contraception, Sterilisation, and Abortion (Safe Areas) Amendment Bill

Members, the House is in committee on the Contraception, Sterilisation, and Abortion (Safe Areas) Amendment Bill. And I’ll just ask the committee to have a little tolerance: I feel a bit like an opening batsman going in against an unknown attack.

I’ll remind members that they’re able to participate remotely, as Jacqui just has, and if you’re on the Zoom and want to take a call, please type “call” into the chat. You should also use the chat if you want to raise a point of order. If we receive new tabled amendments, I’ll advise members, so that they can refresh the House page to see the new amendments. And, finally, it will be helpful for members to ask multiple questions, if they have them, of the member in charge of the bill during their call.

The bill will be debated clause by clause. The first debate is on clause 1. [Waits for members to seek the call.] And, there being no debate, the question is that clause 1 stand part. All those in favour say Aye, to contrary, No. The Ayes have it.

Point of order, Mr Chair. I think I’m right in saying that voting is likely to be on a split basis—at least for this party; I can’t speak for other parties. That being so, perhaps I might ask your indulgence for a couple of minutes while I add up totals of those who would have me cast a vote for or against in the case of each individual clause, seeing as that’s how we’re conducting the vote.

So, effectively, you’re seeking leave of the House to do that?

Yeah, or just requesting just to slow down a little bit so that we can—

Speaking to the point of order, Mr Chair. I wonder if we might simply take the bill as one question. It’s a short bill, and that would simplify matters considerably. If there’s no objection to that, that would seem a sensible course of action.

Thank you. So, members, I seek leave for all provisions to be taken as one question. Leave is sought for that purpose. Is there any objection? There is none. I’m sure there’s none.

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