Page 1091 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 20 April 1994
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Aborigines have their own vital needs. They have much to be proud of; they deserve respect and recognition for their long role in Australian history; they are entitled to hold their heads high. But it is their ill-health, lack of education, poor housing and unemployment that should have the nation's and their own highest priority. There is no evidence that the granting of land in the Northern Territory has greatly improved the infant mortality rate or the health, housing and education of adult Aborigines. What it has done is weaken the Northern Territory's economy, and thereby cut job opportunities in the only region where the proportion of Aborigines is high.
He went on to say:
The Aborigines deserve justice. So do the 17 million other Australians.
I would agree that there is a better way to go about these things. On this particular motion, without reading the Act that is quoted, and without understanding more about the group, I will abstain from the vote. I am concerned that support by members of Australian parliaments in motions and such things is then used - - -
MADAM SPEAKER: Order! Your time has expired, Mr Stevenson.
MR STEVENSON: I require a brief extension. I am finishing. (Extension of time not granted)
Question resolved in the affirmative.
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ON NOTICE
MS FOLLETT (Chief Minister and Treasurer): Madam Speaker, I ask for leave to make a very brief statement with regard to a question on notice asked by Mr Cornwell.
Leave granted.
MS FOLLETT: I thank members. Madam Speaker, following question time today, Mr Cornwell asked me about an outstanding question on notice concerning credit cards. I have since pursued the matter. I found that I wrote to Mr Cornwell on 21 February with a partial response to his question. My letter provided the detailed information required by three of the four parts of Mr Cornwell's question. In relation to one part of the question, my letter indicated that the information Mr Cornwell had requested would need to be collected from all ACT agencies and that there would be some considerable delay in preparation of the final answer. I have been advised that the process is nearing completion, and I expect to be in a position to provide a reply to the member shortly.
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