On their conscience…
Last year a bill went before the House seeking to return the minimum legal purchase age for alcohol to 20.
After extensive debate in the media, polls, lobbying and many arguments for and against, the die was cast when, on 8 November, 2007, politicians voted against the amendment.
It was the 56th time politicians had debated an issue relating to alcohol and voted as a matter of conscience.
Under our parliamentary system, most votes in Parliament are determined largely by the collective decisions of the parties.
However, on a range of moral or social legislation they are able to cast a personal vote, otherwise known as a “conscience” vote.
In recent times issues that have been the subject of conscience votes, other than the sale and consumption of alcohol, have included capital punishment, homosexual law reform, prostitution, gambling, adoption, abortion, pornography, and smoking in public places (see table).
April 23 2008 | Conscience Vote | 2 Comments »