Greg So expressed regret at the filibustering tactics of pan-dems. Photo: RTHK
Pro-government lawmakers blamed their pan-democratic colleagues for the adjournment. Photo: RTHK
Lawmaker Raymond Chan (right) urged the government to consider changes to the bill. Photo: RTHK
Pro-establishment lawmakers blamed their pan-democratic colleagues after the second reading of the Copyright (Amendment) Bill ended abruptly on Thursday afternoon when the Legislative Council found itself without a minimum quorum. Its the second time this has happened.
The debate did not get off the ground as scheduled on December 9 because of a lack of quorum. It then got underway on Thursday morning, but pan-democratic legislators continued making quorum calls to interrupt the debate.
A lawmaker from the pro-Beijing Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB), Tam Yiu-chung, said no matter how unhappy the pan-democrats are with the bill, they should explain their reasons during the debate and let legislators use their votes to decide whether to pass or reject it.
The DAB's chairwoman, lawmaker Starry Lee, also condemned the pan-democrats, saying another week has been wasted, thanks to their filibustering tactics.
Raymond Chan from People Power, one of the radical lawmakers who have vowed to delay the passage of the bill, called the adjournment a pleasant surprise. He said he hoped the government would seriously consider exemptions proposed by the pan-democrats and come up with a revised bill.
The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Developent, Greg So, said it is regrettable that pan-democratic lawmakers have jointly organised a filibuster.
He said that the meeting could have continued, if Gary Fan – the Neo Democrats lawmaker who made the quorum call – had not stepped out of the chamber.
So reiterated that the proposals put forward by the government are balanced. On the other hand, he said exemptions suggested by the pan-democrats have not been discussed sufficiently.
The council will meet again next Wednesday.
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Last updated: 2016-01-07 HKT 16:25
http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1234207-20160107.htm
