Bills

Termination of Pregnancy Bill

Committee Stage

Debate resumed.

Mr MURRAY: If it is possible, I have a question for the Attorney and/or her advisers. Can I seek leave—

The CHAIR: Ask your question, member for Davenport, but we will have to report progress prior to lunch.

Mr MURRAY: The New South Wales act has a provision that states:

(3) To avoid doubt, the duty owed by a registered health practitioner to provide medical care and treatment to a person born as a result of a termination is no different—

no different—

than the duty owed to provide medical care and treatment to a person born other...

My question very simply is: are the philosophical underpinnings of what you are proposing here in South Australia in any way counter to or different from the provision in the New South Wales legislation?

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: No.

Mr MURRAY: As a result, I take it that a similar provision in the South Australian legislation would be acceptable.

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: No, because you have just read out a paragraph of a whole series of things that have been raised in New South Wales. I have indicated to the mover that, no, I would not be supporting that position, but I make the point that that is a whole confirmation in legislation relating to the opportunity for resuscitation to be available as it is. The amendment before us today is to impose a mandated obligation on medical professionals within the terms that he has identified in his amendment. It is a totally different position.

Progress reported; committee to sit again.

Sitting suspended from 12:59 to 14:00.