Page 62 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 7 April 1992
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to enhancing their neighbourhood, regional communities and the Canberra community as a whole. These volunteer hours support and enrich community groups, cultural groups, school parents and citizens associations, school boards, and sport and recreational organisations.
Indeed, the quality of life that Canberrans enjoy is due in no small way to the time and energy that we ourselves put into it. Professor David Suzuki believes that sustainable cities of the future will be built on neighbourhoods. It is my belief that we must continue to preserve the strategic plan of our city, and the health, education and community infrastructure that we have for our future well-being.
Madam Speaker, I would like to conclude by supporting Chief Minister Rosemary Follett's comments and hopes for the Second ACT Legislative Assembly. I share her aspirations that this Assembly will begin its term in a spirit of cooperation, that our proceedings will be conducted with dignity, that all legislation placed before us will be carefully considered, that there is well-informed debate, and that we ultimately deliver high-quality legislation to a Canberra community that deserves nothing less.
Madam Speaker, it is customary for new members at this time to thank those key people who greatly assisted them in attaining their seats as elected members. I wish to especially thank the following people: My son, Andrei, for his enthusiasm and ongoing support for my career; my campaign manager, Don Mayhew, for his persistent thoughtful remarks, considered advice and sound judgment; Michael Moore for his inspiration, leadership and vision regarding the contribution that individuals can and do make as Independents in parliament; Tina van Raay and Stephen Mugford for their vitality, ability and zest; Joan Kellett for her exceptional judgment and unswerving commitment to the achievement of our aims; Joe Downing for his energy, motivation and determination; and the many others, some known, some unknown, who supported Michael, me, Tina and Stephen. To all of you, many thanks, and I will look forward to endeavouring to fulfil the expectations you have placed in me to realise my objectives as an Independent in this Assembly and to improve the quality of life of all members of our Canberra community.
MS ELLIS (8.16): Madam Speaker, it is with a sense of privilege that I rise in this chamber today. It was one of the proudest moments of my life when, on 27 March, I was sworn in as a member of the Second Legislative Assembly. As members of this Assembly, we must all ensure that we learn from the mistakes of the First Assembly and work towards providing for the people of this Territory hardworking, honest and representative government. The people of the ACT deserve no less.
The history of self-government in the ACT is not only as old as the life of the First Assembly. In fact, the question of a need for self-government in the Territory goes back as far as Canberra's earliest days, and it is appropriate, I think, to reflect now on this history. Mr Jim Fraser, who represented the Australian Capital Territory in the House of Representatives from 1951 to 1970, made some interesting observations in his maiden speech, or inaugural speech, on 26 June 1951. He said:
Moves have been made during past years for the establishment of local government in the Territory ... I assert it to be the right of the people of Canberra to govern themselves in local affairs.
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