REFERENDUM (LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL REFORM) BILL

Introduction and First Reading

The Hon. R.B. SUCH (Fisher) (10:38): Obtained leave and introduced a bill for an act to provide for the submission of the Constitution (Legislative Council Reform) Amendment Bill 2008 to a referendum. Read a first time.

Second Reading

The Hon. R.B. SUCH (Fisher) (10:38): I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

This is the companion bill to the previous measure I have just introduced. As members appreciate, if you want to change the constitution, unlike the situation in some countries you have to put it to the people. We in this country still have some regard for the views of the citizenry, and that is a position that we should maintain. If the first bill is passed by this house, which I hope it will be, this would flow as a consequence and the bill would have to be put to the people by way of a referendum. I commend the bill to the house.

Debate adjourned on motion of Mrs Geraghty.