Senator HARRADINE(8.55 p.m.) —by leave—Senator Brown gives his principal concern as being that the people of the Northern Territory will not be able to listen to the debate. We are on broadcasting time and if any sensible Northern Territorian is listening to the debate—

Honourable senator interjecting—

Senator HARRADINE —They do not get it up there? Good luck to them! I was going to say that they would not be sensible, because if I were them I would be listening to the test between Australia and South Africa, to be frank. That would have been a more sensible reason for not having this debate at this present point in time than the one given by Senator Brown.

We all agree, whether we are for the legislation or against it, that the Euthanasia Laws Bill is a major matter of public policy which should be determined by consideration by this chamber. The legislation has been put forward in the House of Representatives, it has come before us and we have to tackle it at some stage. Why not start tonight? There has been no reasonable cause put forward by Senator Brown for it not to be considered tonight—either that or he wants to gag the thing. Does he want to gag debate on it? If not, why can't we at least start dealing with it tonight? As I understand it, people in the chamber, with the exception of Senator Brown, want to start on it tonight. We are going to be pressed for time. I do not think anybody, frankly, whether they are supporting or opposing the bill, wants to gag the debate.

Senator Abetz —That's an unconscionable delaying tactic.

Senator HARRADINE —As Senator Abetz said, it is an unconscionable delaying tactic. We ought to all agree to deal with it tonight in the two hours that we have. If we are fortunate enough to get through all of the debate on it before time in the second reading stage, then so much the better. I do not think, with all due respect, that denying leave to have this matter debated as part of the ongoing debate tonight is serving any useful purpose other than to put off the day when the determination will need to be made.