Fed: IVF talk could move from caucus to national executive

AAP General News (Australia)
08-15-2000
Fed: IVF talk could move from caucus to national executive

CANBERRA, Aug 15 AAP - Labor's caucus could throw out discussion on proposed changes
to restrict IVF treatment to allow the national executive to discuss a conscience vote,
right faction union leader Joe de Bruyn said today.

Opposition Leader Kim Beazley has so far ruled out a conscience vote on the government's
proposed changes to the Sex Discrimination Act which would allow states to prevent lesbian
and single women access to IVF treatment.

It was expected to be on today's caucus meeting agenda.

But Mr de Bruyn, who heads the Shop Distributive and Allied Employees Association,
took that matter to the national executive.

"Yesterday afternoon people were expecting that caucus would discuss the issue this
morning," Mr de Bruyn told ABC radio.

"Now that we have put the matter in the hands of the national executors, the caucus
might very well decide to stand aside and leave it to the national executive."

Labor members must be allowed a conscience vote on such serious legislation, he said.

"On the last occasion that a conscience vote was permitted, which was on the issue
of euthanasia, it was a decision that was made by the national executive.

"There are a number of members of the national executive who agree with me that the
issue ought to be the subject of a conscience vote.

"And I think that there are many other people who might disagree with my particular
point of view, but who accept that on serious issues, where deeply felt issues are at
stake, Labor members ought to be afforded a conscience vote."

AAP lm/maur

KEYWORD: IVF DE BRUYN

2000 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.