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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 13 Hansard (2 December) . . Page.. 4314 ..

MRS CARNELL (continuing):

to negotiate a solution consistent with the Native Title Act but using processes which do not involve long, expensive court procedures. It is critical that negotiations and arrangements are made with the proper claimants. The Ngunnawal people have some differences to resolve before negotiations can begin in earnest. Meanwhile, the Government is working in preparation for those negotiations. As members are aware, an Australian Local Government Association workshop on developing regional agreements was organised for all MLAs and relevant government officials in November 1997. Additionally, Environment ACT has discussed joint park management issues with the other States and the Northern Territory. The Government hopes that negotiations can begin soon on developing a regional agreement with the Ngunnawal people.

Finally, Madam Deputy Speaker, there has been a strong focus on reconciliation over the past year, with many activities in the ACT contributing to the ground swell of reconciliation. This is the fifth theme of the report. The Bogong Reconciliation Advisory Committee has been active in the ACT in advancing reconciliation through addressing areas of concern that impact on reconciliation. Committee members include the chief executives of the Department of Health and Community Care and the Department of Education and Training and the Assistant Commissioner of Police. In the lead-up to the National Reconciliation Convention in Melbourne in May 1997, a regional reconciliation meeting with more than 400 participants was held in Canberra on 13 March 1997. The Government provided significant assistance to the success of the meeting, including provision of the EPIC venue at no cost. The chief executive of the Department of Education and Training chaired the regional meeting. Government staff and members of the police were involved in facilitating the discussions and the analysis and recording of information that was provided by participants.

During Reconciliation Week I hosted a reception on 27 May 1997 for the ACT indigenous community to commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of the 1967 referendum. Additionally, the ACT Government was represented at the historic Reconciliation Convention in Melbourne in May 1997. On 6 August 1997, I met with members of the Legislative Assembly and delegates of the Australian Reconciliation Convention as a means of informing the Assembly members of delegates' impressions of the convention. The meeting was chaired by Bishop George Browning of the Anglican Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn and Mr Ossie Stewart, chair of the ATSIC Queanbeyan Regional Council.

In concluding, I would like to say that this has been a very significant year for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples both nationally and here in the ACT. The Government is proud of the progress made to improve the economic and social wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples here in the ACT and pleased that it has been able to do so in partnership with the indigenous community. I also thank members of the Assembly for their help in this area. In addition to the implementation report, I table the following paper:

Aboriginal Deaths in Custody - Implementation of the Recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody - ministerial statement, 2 December 1997.

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