Page 327 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 20 February 1990
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
MR WOOD (4.43): I think we all agree on this issue. There is no dispute about the aims we want to adopt when we talk about social justice strategies. Indeed, while I may be putting the term down a little, it is one of those motherhood statements with which no-one would want to disagree. It is a much used term, but I have not heard anyone today elaborate on what it means in philosophical terms, though we have had expressions of what it means at the day-to-day level. There is a great deal more behind that concept of social justice than the generous sentiments we might express about a caring for those who are less privileged. I believe it is important to understand what we mean by the term if we are to understand what we have to do in order to implement a social justice strategy, otherwise our responses will be entirely inadequate.
First of all, I believe I should explain that social justice in itself is a process as well as an outcome. I do not believe that Mr Kaine understood this when he criticised the Follett Government, as I think he said that some seven months down the track we had not had something he thought was discernible and up and running. It is a process - and because it is a process it is also a deliberate process, in the view of some, perhaps, a slow process, and certainly a steady process.
We are not going to reach desirable social justice outcomes by remote decision making. That could not occur, whether that decision making is by governments or bureaucrats or task forces established to do the work. Our strategy must begin with the process of consultation and that is predominantly one of listening. Therefore, I am very impressed with the Labor leader's proposals about a community agreement because that is really where it has to happen. We have to go out to the community and talk to the people out there. We have to enlist their support. We have to enable them to take over the running so that we do no more in the end than listen. Then the determination of what the needs are and where the gaps are will be made in the community. That is where the determination of priorities needs to begin. Following upon that we can lead to the major objectives of a program. I will not quote the work that Mr Salvaris has done. It has been mentioned enough today.
Subsequently, after those processes - which do not stop but continue at all times - we can develop the outcomes. This is where the work of government and this parliament is important because this is where the outcomes are substantially determined - on where there is a need for programs to be funded. Of course, there is that need. The social welfare program and related programs absorb a very substantial part of the ACT budget. I want to make it clear though, that at the same time the social justice strategies that we must seek place great importance on activity beyond that of government. The importance of government cannot be underestimated, but if we think only
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .