Page 4741 - Week 15 - Thursday, 16 December 1993
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It would be fitting indeed if the international year and the High Court's Mabo decision were to combine in this way and provide increased impetus for long-term initiatives in the ACT to address the disadvantage faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Madam Speaker, an important focus of the international year has been to increase knowledge and understanding by non-indigenous Australians of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Consistent with this theme, I established a parliamentary awareness group on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues. This initiative will enable interested members of the Legislative Assembly to meet in a non-partisan manner to discuss issues relating to local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The group provides an informal forum for the raising of awareness on issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and for the exchange of ideas.
Aboriginal awareness programs have been established within ACT government agencies for members of the Australian Federal Police, magistrates and school principals. The course for principals has proven to be so popular that similar courses have now been established for teachers in government schools. An ACT Government Service-wide program called "Diversity and Cross Cultural Training: Valuing Differences", which includes a component on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, is currently being introduced.
During National Aboriginal and Islander Day of Observance Committee Week, widely referred to as NAIDOC Week, many schools participated in activities celebrating the week. These activities included a variety of performers, visiting speakers and the raising of Aboriginal flags. I am also pleased to note that during NAIDOC Week the Aboriginal flag was flown from a number of flagpoles in the ACT, including on City Hill. Members may have seen the ACTION bus featuring local Aboriginal artwork which I launched during NAIDOC Week. The designs on the bus depict different stories, including the migration of the bogong moth, the Aboriginal spirit world, the logo for the international year, the multicultural nature of modern Australia and the bus network. Translations of the stories appear on the panels inside the bus.
Madam Speaker, the Government also assisted the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in mounting a display at Floriade that provided an insight into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, including the use of native plants for food and medicinal purposes. A further initiative was the playing of music by local Aboriginal artist Mr Bobby McLeod on the ACT Government's telephone system.
While the international year has focused our attention on the significance of recognising Australia's indigenous cultures and promoting an understanding of issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, it is important that the recognition and understanding extend beyond 1993. A number of the initiatives which the Government has implemented this year in close consultation with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Council will act as lasting reminders of the international year.
Madam Speaker, the naming of the new ACT electorates - Brindabella, Ginninderra and Molonglo - is an important commemorative initiative. These names were adopted by the ACT Electoral Commission as they are commonly recognised geographic names of Aboriginal origin which are associated with each electorate. I am pleased to advise the Assembly that a piece
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