Page 3961 - Week 14 - Tuesday, 23 October 1990
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a great deal of unanimity in what was said, and when Mr Mandela himself spoke he urged Australia to continue the support that we have offered against the apartheid regime and, in particular, to continue support for the sanctions which we have applied against South Africa.
Mr Speaker, I felt that today was a very significant occasion and, as I have said, I was very honoured to be present at that lunch. But, in that company, I was deeply ashamed of the actions that this Assembly had taken in relation to Mr Mandela's visit. I have often been embarrassed, particularly by the actions of the Government members, and I have often felt embarrassed by my association with this Assembly because of some of the things that people have said and done on that side of the house. But today I was more than embarrassed; as I said, I was deeply ashamed. I find it very distressing to have to report that, but to see the breadth of support for Mr Mandela, to see the grace and dignity of the people who spoke, to see them putting aside political differences, to see people from all walks of life coming together to honour such an historic and significant occasion, brought on in me a feeling of shame at the very shabby treatment of this great man that was meted out by this Assembly.
Members interjected.
MS FOLLETT: Mr Speaker, please, are you going to protect me from these people?
MR SPEAKER: Order!
MS FOLLETT: Mr Speaker, I would further like to report to the Assembly that Mr Bruce Haigh was present at the lunch today, and I was able to have a short discussion with him. Members might recall that Mr Haigh proposed to this Assembly a scheme whereby placements would be found for young black South Africans to get work experience in various areas of the ACT Administration. Mr Haigh has advised me that he is continuing to work on that proposal, and that he has the support of the Department of Foreign Affairs in that matter. I hope that members of the Government will overcome their initial knee-jerk reaction against this proposition and actually cooperate in order to find suitable positions for these young South Africans, so that they might take back to South Africa the kinds of skills and experience that will actually help their own people.
I would also like to remind the Assembly that Mr Berry's original proposal to rename Rhodes Place to Mandela Place has now been referred to a committee of this Assembly, and I would like to ask the Government members of that committee to put aside their political posturing on the question of Mr Mandela's visit and to approach the renaming of that street in the same sort of spirit that was evident at the lunch today at Parliament House.
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