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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 6 Hansard (19 June) . . Page.. 1850 ..

MR WHITECROSS (continuing):

I think that the process is a good one. I believe that it does have a special place in our proceedings because of the unique status that indigenous people have in our community. As it was appropriate that we apologise on Tuesday for the separation policies that have been pursued in the past, it is also appropriate that we be aware of the concerns that continue to arise in the Aboriginal community about the treatment of indigenous people at the hands of governments in Australia and aware of their views about appropriate reparation for the injustices that have been done to Aboriginal people in the past.

Mr Speaker, with those comments I would commend the motion and wish you and the Administration and Procedure Committee well in your deliberations. I believe that these things are best done in discussions behind closed doors, rather than through press release and negotiation of amendments on the floor of the house. I hope that a process of discussion can form the basis of any further proposals along these lines in the future.

MS TUCKER (4.22): The Greens also are very happy to see this opportunity for the Aboriginal people to address the Assembly. I think there are some logistics to be sorted out. As a member of the Administration and Procedure Committee, obviously I will be involved in that sorting out. As Mr Moore mentioned, we saw a precedent in Victoria when Professor Penington addressed a joint sitting. Obviously, it was thought to be a significant enough issue for this unusual process to take place. I think it is symbolic of the importance in which all members of this place hold the issue of reconciliation with Aboriginal people that we are happy to see this process here.

I would add one thing. I think our committee system is often useful because it is slightly less intimidating than the chamber. The Social Policy Committee goes out to the community because the committee rooms are quite intimidating as well. I think we need to bear in mind, whenever we invite people here, that it is quite imposing and quite scary for some of them. I hope that that is not an issue in this case. I imagine that many people will be able to put their views forward in other ways also. I commend this motion to the Assembly.

MR WOOD (4.24): This motion follows from the motion we discussed the other day and indeed an earlier motion. I want to say to Mr Osborne that I accept this motion in the spirit of the words and in the spirit of reconciliation and compassion, just as the other day I accepted the motion proposed by the Chief Minister and the words of Ms Horodny and Ms Reilly, who were promoting a point of view. There are a number of people in this chamber who have been speaking out publicly on these issues. I have confidence in the good intentions of all those people. There is nothing else in their agenda in promoting these issues.

MR OSBORNE (4.25), in reply: I thank all members for their support. I appreciate the advice from Mr Whitecross. Whenever I come up with an idea from now on, Andrew, I will check it with you to make sure that it is okay. I thank all members for their support and I look forward to Tuesday, 26 August.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

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