Constitution (Electoral Redistribution) (Appeals) Amendment Bill

Second Reading

Adjourned debate on second reading.

(Continued from 3 August 2017.)

Mr GARDNER (Morialta) (11:23): I support the bill and hope that we are coming to a vote on it at any moment now.

The Hon. J.R. RAU (Enfield—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Justice Reform, Minister for Planning, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Child Protection Reform, Minister for the Public Sector, Minister for Consumer and Business Services, Minister for the City of Adelaide) (11:23): If I am not mistaken—I do not have a copy of the bill in front me, but I think it will be here in a second—

Members interjecting:

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order on my left!

The Hon. J.R. RAU: It would be nice to finish a sentence. This is a bill—

Members interjecting:

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! I cannot hear the member.

The Hon. J.R. RAU: This bill seeks to establish that a citizen has the right to take issue with a redistribution, if they choose to do so. If I could just see a copy of the bill, please.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.R. RAU: I did not say I am opposing it, either. I am trying to clarify what the bill is. That is my point.

Members interjecting:

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Sit down.

Members interjecting:

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! I am on my feet. The Deputy Speaker wants to serve the house as best she can. It is Thursday and I understand that we have had a long week. We only have a few minutes left on this. Members are entitled to be heard in silence. I know the Attorney has gathered his thoughts, and he will now enlighten us.

The Hon. J.R. RAU: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.

Members interjecting:

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.R. RAU: The question that I was raising was whether or not this bill was the one that dealt with, in effect, the standing people might have to deal with an order of the commission. My understanding is that that is what the bill is about. If that is what the bill is about—and it does appear that that is what the bill is about—then we agree with it.

I was seeking to make absolutely certain that we were talking about the same thing, which, of course, is prudent. This is one of those examples, where, when the opposition brings forward useful proposals in private members' time, we are happy to agree with those. We are quite pleased, actually, to agree. I look behind me and there is a sea of smiling faces, and they are interested and keen. So with those few words of support—and it gives me great pleasure to be supportive on a matter brought forward by the member for Bragg—I rest my case.

Members interjecting:

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (11:27): In concluding the debate on this matter—

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: I know you are going to find this really hard to believe, but I cannot even hear the deputy leader. Can somebody enlighten me whether cacophony is a word I can use in here? Because I think it is on my left this morning. Deputy leader.

Ms CHAPMAN: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker—

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hold everything. If you speak, you close the debate.

Ms CHAPMAN: Correct.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Correct. I just want everybody else to understand that.

Ms CHAPMAN: My ears are ringing with delight to hear the Attorney-General's support of this bill, and I thank him for indicating the same. I ask that the motion now be put.

Bill read a second time.

Third Reading

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (11:29): I move:

That this bill be now read a third time.

Bill read a third time and passed.