NONE of the candidates in tomorrow’s Legislative Council election in Wellington were able to answer a question regarding the Directions for Medical Treatment Bill — not even sitting member and newly appointed Leader of the Government in the Upper House, Doug Parkinson.
The bill, which is in its second reading in the upper house, allows for terminally ill patients to refuse medical treatment. None of the candidates had read the bill.
The questions were asked for a special to be aired on Edge Radio. Candidates were questioned on three pieces of legislation, with the above bill the only one of the three yet to be passed. All candidates except Christian Democrat Michael Fracalossi were able to express an opinion on the recent terrorism legislation.
Corby and Parkinson were the only two candidates who seemed aware of the differences between the original and ammended versions of the Sex Industry Regulation Bill, although all candidates except Roomes offered an opinion on regulation of the sex industry. Roomes stated that as a man he felt it was not his place to comment on issues that largely concern women.
When asked what issue they considered was most in need of legislative action no two candidates gave the same answer. Parkinson said that the budget was at the top of his list of priorities, Corby said that she would like to roll back poker machines, Roomes wants action on alternative fuels, Hiscutt wants more money spent on allowing families to care for their elders at home, Zucco wants action on drugs and Fracalossi is after pregnancy support that offers alternatives to abortion.
The full interviews with all the candidates can be heard today at 11am on Edge Radio 99.3FM.
