Thank you, Chairperson, I am very aware of the fact that I have very serious time constraints here. I had waived my right to come back and close this but I thought that after listening to the debate, it was important for me to come back here. I want to thank the hon members who have participated in this debate constructively.
I was very disturbed by the bile that was spewed out by the hon member of the DA. It is understood that perhaps the DA might have its own views but I think that the spirit in which she conducted the debate was so destructive that I needed to come back here and indicate that, in fact, it is completely unacceptable. I would like you, Chairperson, to consult Hansard and actually rule on the matter. [Interjections.]
I want to point out a number of things that had been distorted here because it is important that we leave this House understanding what it was that we were saying. We have a Constitution that this House passed and to which we all share allegiance. It is very specific on some of the things that we have in this Bill here. Our constitutional responsibility is set out in section 28(1)(d). It is very clear on our responsibility to the child and says that it is the right of the child "to be protected from maltreatment, neglect, abuse or degradation."