Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

Labor voted not formal on this motion because we think it is an inappropriate way to bring on a debate that is much more complex and is intended to reflect something that is not honestly put in the motion. Quite frankly, Senator Brown, in speaking to the motion, you very much let the cat out of the bag. On the face of it, the motion says:

That the Senate supports the right of Australians to die with dignity.

No-one could disagree with that. Everyone hopes that everyone gets the opportunity very late in life to die with dignity. But when you spoke you talked about the 10th anniversary of Bob Dent’s legally assisted death. You talked about the override and the Northern Territory legislation. Be honest enough to put it in the motion. Be honest enough to be up front about it. I think this was quite sneaky and does your reputation no good at all, Senator Brown. I have respect for you, but this is not the way to behave. This is not the way to use the Senate. You make speeches, as I do, about the appropriateness of Senate process, about treating the Senate and senators appropriately.