THE Australian parliament was forced to postpone debate on a move to quash the world's first voluntary euthanasia law after an opposition politician was thrown out of parliament for disorderly conduct.
The House of Representatives' main committee had been scheduled to resume debate on a backbencher's motion that would see Canberra use its constitutional powers to overturn the law, introduced in Australia's remote Northern Territory.
But the meeting was suspended before debate resumed when opposition politician, Mr Mark Latham, became embroiled in an argument with deputy speaker, Mr Garry Nehl, over whether the debate should be moved to parliament's main chamber.
Mr Nehl referred the matter to the main chamber, which suspended Mr Latham from parliament for 24 hours for disorderly conduct in refusing to leave the meeting when told to by Mr Nehl.
The Northern Territory's euthanasia law, passed last year. came into operation in July. The first person to use the law, cancer patient Bob Dent, died in September.
. Ms Pauline Hanson, the maverick politician who sparked a national debate on immigration, has challenged her parliamentary foes to call a referendum or whether Australia should accept more immigrants.
The day after major political parties, hoping to defuse a damaging race row, passed a resolution in parliament condemning racism, Queensland MP Ms Hanson said immigration should be immediately halted until unemployment fell to manageable levels.
Australia has been embroiled in an emotional national debate on race since Ms Hanson, a fish and chip shop owner from northern Australia, made her maiden parliamentary speech seven weeks ago and claimed that the country risked being swamped by Asians.
Asians account for around a quarter of the 100,000 odd immigrants into Australia every year.