Page 3713 - Week 13 - Wednesday, 17 October 1990
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Mr Jensen: You must have been out of the house.
MS FOLLETT: I was not out of the house. I have been here for the whole of the debate, and I have listened carefully to all of it. The only reason that Mr Duby put forward was that it is a bit difficult, and I think that was echoed in Mr Collaery's remarks.
Mr Jensen: You said that there were not any reasons.
MS FOLLETT: I do not find things being a little difficult a reason not to do them. So, in the absence of any substantial problem with that one, we really ought to leave it there. Furthermore, as we have heard from the Chief Minister, Mr Speaker, your proposal to mark Mr Mandela's visit is absolutely impossible to achieve. As we have heard, Mr Mandela's schedule is such that he will not be able to visit this Assembly, so the proposal contained in Mr Duby's amendment is not achievable. I wonder whether that amendment can remain on the books, but you may want to consider that.
I find that Mr Duby has not made an argument for the alternative proposal that has been put forward. Mr Duby wishes to delete paragraph (5), again because it is a little difficult, and I agree that it is a little difficult. Mr Collaery went so far as to say that it is probably a matter for the Federal Government. It is not. I am calling upon the Government to identify a couple of placements for South African young people who are looking for work experience in Australia.
Mr Collaery: Who gives out visas?
MS FOLLETT: Mr Speaker, I take it that Mr Collaery believes the issuing of a visa is a matter which is totally beyond the wit and wisdom of both the Federal and ACT governments. What a load of rubbish! It may well be a little difficult to arrange, but I would have thought the identification of positions is well within your competence.
Mr Duby: It has nothing to do with Mandela's visit. Put it up as a separate motion.
MS FOLLETT: Mr Speaker, I have heard an objection from Mr Duby that it has nothing whatsoever to do with Mr Mandela's visit. But I ask the Assembly: if you leave out paragraphs (4) and (5) of that motion, what are you left with? Just words. I feel that a visit of this type deserves much more concrete recognition. We have heard from members opposite, I believe, disgracefully mealy-mouthed and half-hearted support for Nelson Mandela, and I question whether it is support at all from some of them, particularly given Mr Duby's remarks about Mr Mandela's connection with the Communist Party, which were echoed in full by Mr Stevenson, of course.
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