I wish to put the record straight about the Order of Business for today. It was three weeks ago today that the Government Whip discussed with me what today's business would be and, at that stage, his difficulty was trying to accommodate Members of the main Opposition party. He asked me to agree to a particular change on the Order of Business to take the original proposed plan for today.
I have always called for long term planning, but when I talk about long term planning I do not mean inflexible planning. I recognise the need to change now and again. I accept the need for changing today's Order of Business, despite the fact that the call for the debate on East Timor came from these benches in the first place and has come from these benches repeatedly over the last five or six years. It was necessary to do so and it is important that we come back to those issues again, but I never seek good notice of issues on the basis that it might never change. I accept the Government Whip's good faith in trying to address those serious human rights issues.
On the question of human rights and equality, I never thought it would be necessary for me in the life of this Government to raise the question of equality and human rights, not 3,000 miles away or even in the northern end of this island but in this town. It is a disgraceful affront to democracy and to our Constitution, which forbids invidious discrimination, that outside the gate today is a group of blind workers seeking equality with sighted workers. It is extraordinary that in this day and age that matter should have to be raised by any elected public representative.
The Leader of the House should take on board the consideration that people suffering from disability and handicap deserve our support at all times. They should not be required to take such a stand and I ask that this matter be raised immediately with the Minister for Health or, failing that, it should be raised as a matter for debate in this House. It is not good enough that people should have to fight for equality on the basis of their being unsighted or suffering some disability or handicap. It is an untenable position for the Government.