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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 3 Hansard (9 April) . . Page.. 792 ..

MR OSBORNE (continuing):

"That the National Executive agrees in principle to the appointment of a National Media Consultant at a fee to be negotiated. The appointment is to be approved at the December 1993 National Executive.

... ... ...

Mrs Jacqui Sekuless -

which I believe is her married name -

has been appointed for a two month probationary period at a fee of $1000 per month ...

In the minutes for 7 February 1994, item 5, "Media Consultant", states:

The National President advised the committee that he was very happy with the professional advice he is receiving from Mrs Sekuless and recommended that she be appointed as the RSL National HQ Media Consultant until 31 December 1994 at a fee of $1000 per month reviewed annually, plus approved expenses.

I just hope that next time Ms Rees speaks on the peace park she mentions the fact that up until last week she was the media consultant for the RSL - a fact she denied in the Canberra Times this morning.

Finally, Mr Speaker, I have some great news. Japan has apologised for the war. The front page of the Canberra Times of 5 December 1957 carried the headline "Kishi offers apology for Japanese war". I will just quickly read the article. It states:

The Prime Minister of Japan, Mr Kishi, yesterday apologised, on behalf of Japan, for happenings during the Second World War.

"It is over 12 years since hostilities ceased and over six years since the formal conclusion of peace, but notwithstanding that passage of time it is my official duty, and my personal desire, to express to the people of Australia our heartfelt sorrow for what occurred in the war," Mr Kishi said.

Mr Kishi, who spoke through an interpreter, was replying to a toast proposed by the Prime Minister, Mr Menzies, at a Parliamentary luncheon in his honour at Parliament House.

His speech was greeted with loud applause from more than 150 Senators and members from both sides of the Parliament.

Hopefully, that puts an end to this whole debacle about Japan apologising. I table that Canberra Times extract from 1957. I hope someone passes that on to Mr Howard.

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