Page 1083 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 20 April 1994
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ADJOURNMENT
MADAM SPEAKER: Order! It being 4.30 pm, I propose the question:
That the Assembly do now adjourn.
Ms Follett: I require the question to be put forthwith without debate.
Question resolved in the negative.
COUNCIL FOR ABORIGINAL RECONCILIATION
Debate resumed.
MS FOLLETT: Madam Speaker, they included a number of initiatives that have already been set in train, such as the establishment of a cross-party parliamentary study group, which we have called the Parliamentary Awareness Group, and the passing of resolutions by State and Territory parliaments endorsing the vision of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation.
During our discussions Mr Dodson proposed that the ACT Government may wish to endorse the council's vision statement. This vision statement was discussed by the Parliamentary Awareness Group during one of our meetings. As a result of that discussion we considered it appropriate to introduce into the Legislative Assembly a motion in support of the vision. I read previously from that vision statement, Madam Speaker. It is summed up as a united Australia which respects this land of ours, values the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage, and provides justice and equity for all.
I would ask all members to consider this and to endorse the statement of the council's vision. I believe that everybody in this chamber would agree that it does indicate a path along which we would like not just our Territory, but our nation as well, to develop. I understand that a motion in these terms was passed unanimously in the Senate on 16 March 1994. Madam Speaker, I believe that the ACT Assembly now has the opportunity to be the first State or Territory legislature to support such a motion. I believe that its unanimous passage would be a positive symbol for reconciliation within the ACT community and an important act of leadership for our Assembly. I commend the motion to members.
MR KAINE (4.32): My comments will be quite brief. I believe that the sentiments expressed in this motion are so fundamental as to require little justification. The motion expresses a sentiment that no true Australian, no-one who is committed to the idea of a fair go and respect for your fellow man, could reject.
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