Fed: Kernot tries to mend ALP rift over IVF conscience vote call

AAP General News (Australia)
08-12-2000
Fed: Kernot tries to mend ALP rift over IVF conscience vote call

CANBERRA, Aug 12 AAP - Labor MP Cheryl Kernot today tried to patch up a rift in the
ALP frontbench over infertility treatments for single and lesbian women, saying she supported
leader Kim Beazley's position.

Ms Kernot yesterday called for MPs to be allowed a conscience vote on the government's
plan to back state restrictions on access to IVF treatment, a challenge to Mr Beazley's
push for a united position.

The opposition leader was last night forced to play down the perception of a frontbench
split, saying it was normal for differing views on issues to be expressed within the party.

Ms Kernot today tried to make up for the damage and issued a statement saying she would
join Mr Beazley at Labor caucus next week in voting that Labor oppose amending the federal
Sex Discrimination Act.

"I am not at odds with Kim Beazley on the substance of his arguments on the impending
vote on IVF; I have a different view on process," she said.

"The world does not end when members of the same political party express a different
opinion on some issues. In fact there is often strength in diversity."

Ms Kernot said yesterday MPs should be able to vote according to their personal views
on IVF as they were for euthanasia and abortion.

"I would always prefer us to have a conscience vote on these difficult issues where
principles of people's personal morality and discrimination and state's rights always
collide," she told radio 2UE.

Her comments came a day after union leader Joe de Bruyn also criticised Mr Beazley
over a conscience vote, which has also been backed by Labor Senators Mark Bishop and Jacinta
Collins.

Ms Kernot said today she had voted in favour of the Northern Territory's right to allow
voluntary euthanasia and supported women's rights to choose an abortion, and would support
rights to access IVF.

She described Prime Minister John Howard's planned amendment as devious, and had a
dig at coalition MPs over their apparent unity on the change.

"Of course, no 'liberal' coalition members would dare to express a different opinion
from the prime minister on this issue," she said.

AAP kmh/cjh

KEYWORD: IVF KERNOT

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