Page 3695 - Week 13 - Wednesday, 17 October 1990
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MR DUBY (Minister for Finance and Urban Services) (10.58): Having had that issue resolved, I now move the following amendments together:
Paragraph (1), omit "Australia", substitute "the Australian Capital Territory";
Paragraph (2), omit all words after the word "free", substitute "and democratic South Africa during his 27 years of political imprisonment";
Paragraph (3), omit all words after the word "by", substitute "many South Africans as a symbol of their struggle";
Paragraph (4), omit the paragraph, and substitute the following paragraph:
"(4) Endorses the decision by the Speaker to mark Mr Mandela's visit to Canberra on 23 October 1990."; and
Paragraph (5), omit the paragraph.
MR CONNOLLY (10.58): Mr Speaker, I rise to support the original motion and, in large, oppose the amendments moved by Mr Duby, although I could indicate that the proposed amendment to paragraph (1), welcoming the visit to the Australian Capital Territory rather than Australia, is certainly acceptable to this side of the house. The proposed amendment to paragraph (3) is also acceptable because it is true that Mr Mandela is regarded as a symbol by many South Africans, both blacks and whites.
But I am dumbfounded that in relation to paragraph (2) there is a proposal to delete our applauding Mr Mandela's courage in consistently advocating a free, democratic and non-racial South Africa. I am amazed that this Assembly would be deleting our applauding the advancement of the goal of a non-racial South Africa. If the Assembly votes in that way, it could be said that we somehow favour a racial South Africa. I know that that is not the view of this Assembly. I know that Mr Collaery, over many years, has firmly opposed a racist South Africa and believes, as we on this side of the house do, that South Africa's future must be non-racial, that all races - black, white and coloured - must have the vote and equal rights in South Africa. For this Assembly to delete our support for the goal of a non-racial South Africa is extraordinary.
Mr Speaker, there is very little to be added to Ms Follett's excellent and measured speech on this issue. Those of us who live in a democratic society find it hard to imagine the position that is faced by political activists under more repressive regimes. From time to time, we in this house hear of the difficulties that members of a democratic assembly face in this Territory. Often we are heard to complain about being harassed or badgered at home late at night by constituents or others. Often we complain about the way in which our political duties interfere with our social lives. Often we have to forgo pleasant family occasions to attend a meeting or a function. From time to time we may be heard to mutter that
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