Page 2710 - Week 10 - Thursday, 15 October 1992

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CHIEF MINISTER FOR THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY QUESTION

Question No 296

Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders

MR HUMPHRIES - Asked the Chief Minister upon notice on 18 August 1992:

1n relation to the Chief Ministers press release of 8 July 1992 which refers to the fact that the ACT Government has made "a number of positive and practical commitments in such areas as law and justice, health, housing and education and was generally encouraging better awareness of and access to ACT Government services in line with recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody" -

(1) Will the Chief Minister detail each of . these commitments.

(2) Does the Chief Minister acknowledge that a bipartisan approach to matters

affecting the Aboriginal and Tomes Strait Islander community-in the ACT

has been established.

(3) Given that the Opposition has had a limited participation in the

development of policies in this area, will the Chief Minister undertake to

consult with the Opposition about the Governments actions on all

matters affecting the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community in

the Territory.

MS FOLLETT - The answer to the members question is as follows:

(1) Each of the commitments referred to in the above press release are detailed

in the ACT Government response to the recommendations of the Royal

Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. This response was released

nationally on 31 March 1992 and was tabled in the ACT Legislative Assembly on

8 April 1992. All members received copies of the ACT response. Several of the most

significant commitments were highlighted in the tabling statement delivered at this

time and Mr Humphries should refer to these sources for further information about

the commitments made by the Government.

(2)&(3) I welcome the Oppositions renewed interest in a bipartisan approach to matters affecting Aboriginal peoples and Tomes Strait Islanders in the ACT as I have always supported bipartisan cooperation in this area. I initiated discussion to this effect when in opposition and I have continued to actively pursue this approach while in Government.

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