Personal Explanation

Pairing Arrangements

The Hon. J.S. LEE (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:23): I seek leave to make a personal explanation.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.S. LEE: I rise today to make a personal explanation about the pairing arrangement on Wednesday 16 October 2024 in relation to the Termination of Pregnancy (Terminations and Live Births) Amendment Bill 2024. First of all, I want to acknowledge that it was a regrettable situation. I have conveyed my sincere apologies to the Hon. Michelle Lensink privately and she has graciously accepted it, for which I am truly thankful. I believe it is also important for me to place my earnest apologies on the record to the Hon. Michelle Lensink in parliament today and at the same time provide an explanation to the Legislative Council about what took place last Wednesday night.

On Wednesday 16 October 2024, many visitors were invited to come into Parliament House to listen to the debate in relation the bill. What people may not realise was my unexpected encounter with a very persistent visitor. It is important for honourable members to know that I have never had any prior dealings with or met this individual before that evening; however, the person seemed to be knowledgeable about every member of the Legislative Council.

The encounter with this external visitor made me feel very vulnerable on the night. I was not thinking clearly and was put into a compromising situation. I made an unthinkable decision under pressure because I had a grave concern about my upper house preselection arising out of the various media reports. To provide some context, please allow me to quote from InDaily on 30 July 2024. I quote:

Three sources have told InDaily that the Right may try to dump long-time Upper House MP Jing Lee, a moderate, into an unwinnable spot on the 2026 Legislative Council ticket.

Similar opinions were reported in The Advertiser and other media, which negatively compounded the perceived risk I was feeling. The pressure and stress I felt compelled me to withdraw my pair with the Hon. Michelle Lensink MLC. Everything happened very quickly. I informed the Hon. Michelle Lensink about my decision so that she could arrange another pair with another member. As I have never experienced anything like it before, I went into a panic mode, my mind went blank and I was blindsided by fear.

I believe people who know me would observe that my actions were out of character that evening. Unfortunately, no-one knew that I was under tremendous stress on 16 October 2024. It was a horrible experience for me and I hope no other members of parliament will ever have to go through this type of ordeal. I am deeply sorry about what happened, particularly the misunderstanding, confusion and stress that impacted on the Hon. Michelle Lensink and other colleagues.

Every employee, including members of parliament, deserves a safe, protective and supportive workplace. Unfortunately, I felt unsafe and not supported that evening. Bullying, harassment and intimidation by external parties, as well as those working in this place, is not appropriate or acceptable under any circumstances.

When it comes to a conscience vote, we often have to make difficult decisions on sensitive emotional matters. I am sure each one of us try our very best to maintain respectful debates and minimise the use of harmful and divisive language when it comes to sensitive subject matter, such as the termination of pregnancy.

Unfortunately, the situation last Wednesday was escalated to have an external person attempting to inappropriately influence the voting of members. This becomes a very serious matter, as per the statement given by the President on Thursday 17 October 2024 before question time. I am glad to learn that the President is taking into consideration the complaints made by many members of the Legislative Council. I want to sincerely thank the President for his reminder to members, where he said, and I quote:

I strongly remind members that they must take responsibility for the behaviour of their guests and ensure that their guests' conduct does not undermine the privileges, powers and immunities of the parliament.

For those who care to know, I have been traumatised by the incident last Wednesday night. I have suffered from a lack of sleep and continue to experience anxiety. It is such an irony that October is the month designated for mental health, and the 2024 theme set by the World Federation of Mental Health is workplace mental health.

While I appreciate that this place is operating in an adversarial environment, for the sake of the mental wellbeing of everyone concerned my concluding remark is to respectfully ask honourable members to be a bit kinder and compassionate to each other during Mental Health Month. Mr President, I thank you and I also thank all honourable members for allowing me the privilege to provide my personal explanation today.