Justice and Related Legislation (Marriage Amendments) Bill 2018 (No 47)

[7.41 p.m.]

Ms ARMITAGE (Launceston) - Mr President, it has been difficult and it would have been very easy to be emotional about this. I think we all have friends in the LGBTI+ community. As the member for Murchison knows, we have an employee who is transgender, and I know the difficult path he has had and it has not been easy for him. Even when you talk about it, it does make you become emotional. It is really sad the misinformation that has been out there and it has caused nastiness in many emails, because much has been misinformation. With the amendments before us and briefings about the things wrong with the bill, the number of amendments and the problems that there were, I really did not feel I was able to proceed with the bill as it was.

I have some amendments. I know other members have some amendments. I have had many discussions with many people and different members from the Government, who have given guarantees it certainly will come back in March. I am very happy to look at other members' amendments. I am not sure whether we all have the same amendments because there were some different and competing amendments. I have a couple I feel I need to put up and other members will have amendments they feel will make a better and stronger bill. As the member for Mersey said, you do not want a bill you think helps people, but is not going to, because it is going to be challenged, as it is not as strong as it can be. I look forward to coming back in March with the amendments we will have. I feel emotional even seeing you all there, because knowing someone in the same situation, I understand where you are coming from and I look forward to coming back.