Gallagher Martin: Human Assisted Reproductive Technology Bill — Recommittal In Committee Third Reading Procedure 
Gallagher Martin: Human Assisted Reproductive Technology Bill — Recommittal In Committee Third Reading Procedure 
[Volume:621;Page:16852] 
MARTIN GALLAGHER (Labour—Hamilton West) 
: 
 I have been in the Chamber for the previous two speakers and I acknowledge the previous speaker in particular. One will try to control one’s contribution because I strongly suspect that it will not surprise him that some of his experiences are probably a bit closer to those of a number of people in this Chamber than even he may realise. There are a variety of outcomes and if members will forgive me I will not go further than that but obviously life teaches one some very valuable insights. One deals with such fundamental deep issues between a couple and with people and there are other outcomes and then there are outcomes I guess. I think that is what the previous speaker was alluding to and I honour him and I commend his courage in sharing that story with us. 
I will not go into my own circumstances if members do not mind but I will acknowledge the author of this bill in that it could have been easy for her not to get involved. I want to pay tribute to my colleague Dianne Yates and in particular—if members will allow me in terms of the Hamilton context—to the researchers lawyers health professionals her party colleagues and her family who helped her with the time and money and all that was involved. Now I know obviously that it was not just Dianne Yates or that group of people but if in the context of this I can acknowledge that particular Hamilton contribution I have to say that as a member of Parliament I am very proud of it. I am also very proud of the Health Committee and of Steve Chadwick and all the members who grappled with this issue. 
I am absolutely respectful of the split voting reflecting the different viewpoints because I think that all members here look very deeply into their hearts and do their absolute best to come up with what they believe will be the best way forward. I think in a way that it would have been an easy thing for this Parliament not to have grappled with those issues. This is kind of in the too-hard basket but I believe that at least while no legislation is perfect it does set a template or a base for future Parliaments and for our society. 
Obviously it has been pointed out in the commentary as an understatement that: “Fertility issues can be very stressful both for individuals and within relationships. In our consideration of these legislative proposals we have sought to balance providing a consistent regulatory environment with acknowledging the differences in individual circumstances.” Then it goes on to talk about the intergenerational impact in terms of decisions around assisted human reproduction and the robust and transparent process for ethical decision-making. 
I do not want to go on too long except to say that I think there are a lot of people in this country tonight who when they realise the impact of this bill will say “thank you”. Parliament has tried to grapple with what is an incredibly immense and awesome issue and I do not even have the language to really describe what we are grappling with here. I want to acknowledge the contribution of previous speakers—particularly the last two speakers whom I listened to—and also to acknowledge in particular Dianne Yates. There are moments of huge satisfaction for individual members of Parliament when they come here to make a difference. Dianne Yates has come here and she has made a difference. I want to thank her very very much and also the people who worked with her. I also particularly want to thank the select committee for its very excellent work in this area.