Page 2292 - Week 07 - Thursday, 16 June 1994
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The ACT Government has also raised public awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and issues through the inclusion of Aboriginal perspectives in school curricula; public exhibitions and displays; and special initiatives for the International Year of the World's Indigenous People.
Members will recall that on 16 December 1993 I tabled a Ministerial Statement in the Assembly highlighting the ways in which the ACT Government had celebrated the Year. A number of the initiatives promoted awareness and understanding of issues affecting Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders and will serve as lasting reminders of the Year. Among these, the naming of the new ACT Electorates Brindabella, Ginninderra and Molonglo - is an important commemorative initiative. These names were adopted because they are commonly recognised geographic names of Aboriginal origin which are associated with each electorate.
The ACT Human Rights Office has carried out an extensive program of activities in the ACT community, including the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, to promote awareness of the anti discrimination legislation administered by the office.
In May 1993 I invited members of the Legislative Assembly to form a Parliamentary Awareness Group to provide a forum which would enable members to inform themselves in a non-partisan manner on issues relating to local Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders.
Recent legislation such as the Adoption Act 1993, which includes the Aboriginal Child Placement Principle, and the recently tabled Domestic Relationships Bill 1993, which would give effect to most of the recommendations of the Australian Law Reform Commission's report on Customary Law, recognise unique elements of Aboriginal culture.
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