Senator MARGETTS(9.52 p.m.) —I rise to support the suspension of standing orders. The reason I support the suspension is that notice of this motion was given some time ago. People would have been aware that, at whatever time the debate on euthanasia started—whether it was today, tomorrow night, next week or next month—this suspension would take place. It was quite clear that it was going to take place and that it was important for some people to feel that the debate would not simply be a negative debate about whether or not we support overruling legislation in the Northern Territory.

I am prepared to support the suspension and to listen to those senators who wish to actually make statements at the beginning of this debate as to what they believe in relation to voluntary euthanasia. As I mentioned when the motion to refer the Andrews' bill to a committee was mooted, I did think it was unfortunate that it went to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee—it is not that I do not think they are a reasonable committee; it is just that I thought it would limit the range of issues that were looked at. I always felt that the widest consideration of this bill ought to take place.

Maybe this is one way of summarising some of those issues that have come up so far; maybe this is one way in which some of those debates that have been around in the community on the issue and that various senators have been approached with—on this issue rather than on the Andrews' bill—will get an airing before the rest of the debate takes place. That is not to push one viewpoint or the other. It is just to say that I support the debate taking place and I support the suspension of standing orders for this debate to take place.