After the agreed Parliamentary debate on 17 November, the McFetridge Bill was sadly defeated. At 4.12 am on November 18 the debate closed in a tied vote 23:23. The Speaker cast his vote: against. He always was a vehement opponent. There were 18 2nd reading speeches and in the 2.5 hours before, all but one against. The 2nd reading vote to go into Committee got 27:19. Four of them later voted against the Bill after the 6 hours of debating amendments South Australia Premier Jay Weatherill said he felt “gutted” by the defeat. But he was sure a new bill would be introduced in time.
It is not yet certain what will happen with the plan to discuss Steph Key’s Bill later this year.