Page 3583 - Week 12 - Wednesday, 12 October 1994
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I would like to address a couple of the specific recommendations that Mr Kaine touched upon. (Extension of time granted) Thank you, members. I will not go through all of the recommendations, but there are a couple that I think are worthy of comment. Recommendation 56, to which Mr Kaine drew attention, relates to the proposal for an Aboriginal keeping place, or cultural centre, to be constructed in the ACT in order to maintain and express aspects of Aboriginal history, culture and traditions. Madam Speaker, as I have previously advised members, money from the casino premium is set aside for that project. It will not be used for any other purpose. It is there, and it will remain there.
There has been a lengthy process of consultation by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Council with groups both within and without the ACT on how they wish those funds to be applied. Madam Speaker, I only very recently received a response from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Council which I am currently considering. Members can be quite confident that the money will not disappear; that the funds will be applied for the purpose that the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities wish, and in a manner with which they agree. So, again, it is a matter of a lengthy process of consultation, but one which is very necessary. If you are serious about empowering people, you cannot go out and tell them what to do and when to do it. You have to say to them, "Here are these funds. How do you wish them to be expended and what kind of a structure, a centre, a vision, do you have for this cultural centre?". That is what I have done. It does take a while. I am prepared to wait.
Madam Speaker, one other recommendation Mr Kaine drew attention to is recommendation 81, and again I think it is worthy of response while I am on my feet. Recommendation 81 relates to legislation decriminalising drunkenness and alternatives to the detention of intoxicated persons. Madam Speaker, I share Mr Kaine's frustration, and, I know, the Attorney-General's frustration, with the slow pace in drawing up legislation for proclaimed places in the ACT. I have just now had a quick word with the Attorney-General. We have decided on a concerted attack to see whether we cannot quicken the pace. That legislation is essential. I know that it is complex. It is a matter of balancing human rights and the need to maintain law and order. I think it is preferable to go ahead even if our legislation may need revision later on. I would like to say that we do have a sobering up place which is being run by the Alcohol and Drug Service. There are only four beds. It is being run on a trial basis, without the legislation, so even there we are making some progress.
Madam Speaker, I will conclude by saying that I believe that we have done a great deal to implement the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. I would be the first to say that we have a long way to go. I think the process of reconciliation and of addressing all of the wrongs, all of the disadvantage that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have suffered in this country, is going to take decades yet before we can consider it to be complete; but I think this is a very good sign of progress.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
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