Anti-terrorism dissenters leave MP in Cold

Project SafeCom Inc.
Web: http://www.safecom.org.au/

ALP's Anti-terrorism Bill dissenters leave Harry Quick MP out in the cold

Media Release
Tuesday November 30 2005 7:45am WST
For immediate Release
No Embargoes

WA Human Rights action and lobby group Project SafeCom Inc. called this morning for an explanation by ALP backbenchers and dissenters with the Anti-terrorism Bill No 2 (2005) which passed through the House last night without a division being called.

Apart from the Member for Calare (IND), Mr Peter Andren, who called on the Speaker to note his disagreement with the Bill, the only other MP to do the same was Tasmanian ALP MP Mr Harry Quick who asked to go on the record to have his disagreement noted.

"Reports were received by us," spokesman Jack H Smit said, "that Dr Carmen Lawrence had absented herself from Parliament. What I would like to know," Mr Smit continued, "is what happened to other MPs who clearly are in dissent in ALP ranks over this and other Bills which are always supported by the Parliamentary Labor Party?"

"Where are MPs such as Mr Antony Albanese, Ms Tanya Plibersek, Mr Lindsey Tanner and the others who would have disagreed with the Bill if they would haven been independent MPs?"

"Why are they given all Australians the impression that Harry Quick is the only one who dissents with the Bill, and even more importantly, why are they consciously contributing with the current state of affairs where the House Speaker gets away with not having to call for a Division in the House, thus avoiding a record in Hansard and in the public eye a listing of the names of those who vote against the Bill?"

"Is Harry Quick MP being left out in the Parliamentary Cold by our MPs?"

ENDS

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