Fed: MPs welcome Patterson's stem cell bill

AAP General News (Australia)
08-17-2006
Fed: MPs welcome Patterson's stem cell bill

Government MPs pushing for a conscience vote on stem cell research have welcomed former
health minister KAY PATTERSON's move to draft a private member's bill on the issue.

But conservative Liberals and Nationals opposed to therapeutic cloning have accused
her of a backflip.

Queensland Liberal backbencher WARREN ENTSCH welcomes Senator PATTERSON'S move .. saying
a bill from within government ranks could influence undecided MPs.

But Tasmanian Liberal Senator GUY BARNETT says he won't support the bill .. because
Senator PATTERSON has changed her position since the original stem cell laws passed parliament
in 2002.





Senator PATTERSON'S move trumped Democrats Senator NATASHA STOTT DESPOJA .. who's been
working on her own private member's bill for months.

Senator STOTT DESPOJA says she'll push for a collaborative effort.

AAP RTV rp/jmm/bart

KEYWORD: STEMCELL (CANBERRA)

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