Updated December 2007

Liberal Nationals - Embryonic Stem Cell Research

2007:

2007:

Bligh expects close stem cell vote

April 11, 2007
The Brisbane Times

Queensland Deputy Premier Anna Bligh says she expects a close vote on controversial state laws allowing therapeutic cloning. Premier Peter Beattie said on Tuesday work had begun on drafting a bill mirroring federal laws passed last year allowing scientists to clone human embryos to extract stem cells for research purposes. Previously, stem cells could be extracted only from embryos left over from the IVF process.

... Mr Beattie said state MPs would get a conscience vote on the bill, but said he would personally support it and hoped it would pass. Ms Bligh said Wednesday she would also support it, but believed the vote would be tight.

Liberal leader Bruce Flegg, an experienced GP, said he was unconvinced of the need for the new laws and doubted whether many of his colleagues would back them.

"It's a fairly big step to say let's create human life for the purpose of experimenting with it," Dr Flegg said.

"I think it's the thin end of the wedge.

"When stem cells were first made available there were tight controls, now they are wanting to liberalise that and I think that argument will continue for further liberalisation."

He said the research method was not essential to find cures for diseases such as Parkinson's and spinal cord injuries.

Queensland parliament four years ago passed laws allowing embryonic stem cell research under strict conditions and banning human cloning.

Sixty-five government, independent and opposition MPs, including then opposition leader Lawrence Springborg, voted for the bill after a marathon two-day debate.

http://news.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/bligh-expects-close-stem-cell-vote-20070411-6za.html

Queensland to allow stem-cell research

October 12, 2007 - 6:18AM
The Age

Queensland last night became the third state to pass laws allowing research involving embryonic stem cells.Victoria and NSW already have passed the laws, which mirror those passed by the federal parliament in April this year.

Queensland MPs, who were given a conscience vote, last night voted 48 to 34 allowing the controversial research to go ahead under strict conditions.

Premier Anna Bligh said that while she understood the laws raised ethical and moral questions, she was pleased they had passed. "It builds Queensland's reputation as a research centre of excellence," Ms Bligh said. "For Queensland to thrive as the Smart State and potentially discover cures for Parkinson's disease, motor neuron and other conditions, embryonic stem cell research must be allowed but only under tight national restrictions."

Nationals leader Jeff Seeney spoke in favour of the bill, while Liberal leader Bruce Flegg opposed it.

Yesterday, Mr Seeney described as "inappropriate" an attempt by Queensland Nationals president Bruce McIver to influence the vote by emailing MPs at the last minute urging them to oppose the bill.

The laws maintain bans on such things as cloning a human for reproductive purposes and placing a human embryo in an animal or vice-versa.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/queensland-to-allow-stemcell-research/2007/10/12/1191696117581.html

Stem cell law struggle goes down to wire

11th October 2007, 15:17 WST

Queensland parliament's conscience vote on stem cell research was set to go down to the wire tonight after hours of impassioned debate and claims of MPs placed under undue pressure. Debate on the Research Involving Human Embryos and Prohibition of Human Cloning Amendment Bill 2007 - which would allow the creation of human embryos via cloning for research purposes - was likely to go late into the night. This afternoon those who had declared their support or opposition were evenly split at 18-18, with about 30 speakers to go.

While the bill is subject to a conscience vote, the Queensland Nationals executive was accused of trying to sway the party's MPs to oppose the laws.

Opposition Leader Jeff Seeney said he had received an email from Queensland Nationals president Bruce McIver this morning, copied to other Nationals MPs.He would not disclose its content, but said it was "disappointing" and "unfortunate", in the way it sought to influence opinion."I don't believe the party president should direct parliamentarians how to vote at any time, let alone when there's a conscience vote," Mr Seeney said.

... In a surprise move, Mr Seeney this week indicated his support for the laws.He made an emotional contribution to Wednesday's debate, saying stem cell research could potentially find a cure for Parkinson's disease, which has crippled his uncle.

Mr Seeney said there were strongly held opinions across the party, some of which had been put to him."It would be fair to say a lot of people aren't particularly pleased about (my support for the bill)," Mr Seeney said.Most MPs opposed to the bill are concerned about its permission for the fertilisation of an animal egg by human sperm to create hybrid embryos.

http://www.thewest.com.au/aapstory.aspx?StoryName=426577

2003:

Lawrence Springborg:

BRISBANE, March 12, 2003 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Queensland has become the first Australian state to authorize embryonic stem cell research using so-called "surplus" embryos from IVF clinics. Under the law, scientists will be able to experiment on all leftover embryonic humans created by IVF before April 5, 2002, with the sperm/ova donors' consent.

The bill was opposed on a conscience vote by 8 government MPs and 12 opposition MPs. But 65 government, independent and Opposition MPs, including Opposition leader Lawrence Springborg, ganged up to pass the law.

Labor backbencher Ronan Lee criticized the government for arguing that embryos are not important because they are "smaller than a full stop [i.e. a period]. We ought to look at them not as though they are worthless but with wonderment," Mr. Lee said. "We ought to treat them with respect."

For local coverage:
http://www.dailytelegraph.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,59...

Source Link: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2003/mar/03031204.html

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