Words matter, particularly the words of world leaders. Last week, it was brought to my attention that President Obama spoke a number of weeks ago at an event organised by Planned Parenthood, an organisation which carries out approximately 330,000 abortions each year in the United States. The US President said "God bless you" to the Planned Parenthood meeting and told the organisation he stood with it.

Is the Senator seeking a debate on this issue?

I learned of this when I heard that a famous American footballer, Matt Birk, refused an invitation to the White House on the basis of the US President's comments. Next week, President Obama will attend the G8 summit on this island. Perhaps someone will ask him what he meant when he used the words "God bless" at a meeting of Planned Parenthood, an organisation which takes 330,000 lives each year.

Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?

This is a timely warning to all of us that when something becomes lawful, it changes the prevailing culture. My question to the Leader is when the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill, also known as the abortion Bill, will come before the House for debate? Let us be careful in how we proceed in this matter. By making something lawful, we will go down the road of changing our culture of respecting life.

The Senator may make those points during the debate on the Bill.