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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 6 Hansard (24 May) . . Page.. 1707 ..
MS CARNELL (continuing):
I am sure it will be a positive and affirming event. I know that other Assembly members will be involved in activities over the weekend and throughout Reconciliation Week, which commences with Sorry Day on Friday, 26 May, and ends with Mabo Day on 3 June 2000.
Once again, this year this government will arrange for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags to be flown with the Australian flag in Canberra throughout this period. As the council comes to the end of its term, I understand that it will make recommendations about the organisational structure that may guide the ongoing reconciliation process. In our letter to Mrs Scott, I suggest that we confirm that, whatever processes are put in place at a national level, members of this Assembly will work with the ACT community to progress the reconciliation process within the ACT and the region.
I hope I have laid out the reasons why I do not believe the approach by Mr Stanhope, although expressing appropriate sentiment, is appropriate to the reconciliation process the national council have put together. I ask members to have a look at the amendment closely. It will help the process rather than ride roughshod over the top of it.
MR SPEAKER: Would you like to formally move it, Chief Minister?
MS CARNELL: I move:
Omit all words after "Chief Minister to write", substitute "to the Chair of the Council for Reconciliation advising her that this Assembly:
(1) appreciates and commends the work of the council, since its inception, in progressing reconciliation between Australia's indigenous and non-indigenous peoples and believes that the work of the council has touched the life of all Australians;
(2) congratulates the council on Corroboree 2000 and the related celebrations across Australia, as an opportunity for a public expression of support for reconciliation; and
(3) reaffirms its commitment to progressing the reconciliation process in the ACT and region.".
MR HARGREAVES (5.37): A couple of days ago we received a visit from some Lanyon High School kids. In talking to them about the various parts of the Assembly, the education officer of the Assembly talked about the bar of the Assembly to Mr Rugendyke's right. When they asked what it was for, they were told about incidences when people had appeared at the bar. I was reminded of the occasion, even though I was not a member of this Assembly, when we heard in this Assembly how indigenous people felt about the terrible things that had occurred to them. I think it was the Chief Minister who said that there was not a dry eye in this chamber.
Before I go into the detail of this motion, I want to acknowledge that we are all coming from the same position. I want to acknowledge that all the people in this Assembly are deeply committed to doing the right thing for indigenous people. I do not want anybody to think or suggest that because we are arguing about process we differ in the principle or in the deepness of our feeling about the hurt that was perpetrated on indigenous people.
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