South Australia Shadow Attorney-General Vickie Chapman

South Australia Shadow Minister for Regional Development John Dawkins

Atkinson’s judgement clouded by personal views

Victor P Taffa

South Australia Attorney-General Michael Atkinson is once again allowing his personal views to cloud his judgement and obstruct his legislative responsibility to South Australians; this time as it relates to altruistic gestational surrogacy.

Shadow Attorney-General, Vickie Chapman and Shadow Minister for Regional Development John Dawkins claim the Attorney-General is deliberately stalling the drafting of a simple amendment, which the Government was asked to draft in November 2009.

The Statutes Amendment (Surrogacy) Act 2009 was passed in the Legislative Council in June 2008 without Division. It passed the House of Assembly on 19 November 2009 with a resounding majority 31 votes to 7.

On 27 November 2009, Mr Dawkins wrote to Health Minister, John Hill requesting a small amendment, necessary due to the time that elapsed between the bill passing in the Legislative Council and passing the House of Assembly.

Health Minister Hill referred the request to the Attorney General on 24 December 2009 but the Attorney General has failed to even acknowledge the request not to mention begin working on the amendment.

“We all know the Attorney-General has employed every technique possible to derail my Private Members Bill.”

“It’s ironic that the amendment he has been asked to draft is necessary because of his actions in delaying the bill’s passage.”

“The Attorney-General should respect the parliament’s decision. The fact he has sat on his hands is bad enough but to not even have the courtesy to acknowledge my request is the height of rudeness.” Mr Dawkins said.

“I have no problem announcing that as Attorney-General I would move swiftly to ensure this amendment is drafted and introduced in the first sitting week of the new Parliament – again allowing members a conscience vote on the issue.” Ms Chapman said.

“If the Attorney-General cannot separate his personal views from his duty to the Parliament he should step down at once.”

SA Shadow Minister for Regional Development John Dawkins