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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 6 Hansard (24 May) . . Page.. 1714 ..
MS TUCKER (continuing):
spoken to indigenous people who were deeply traumatised by them. I tried to reassure them by saying that prime ministers come and go, and John Howard will probably go quite soon-we hope. They needed to understand that the Australian community did empathise with the pain of the stolen generation and were equally upset and that the majority of people in this country understand the pain that the Aboriginal people have suffered as a result of their children being torn away from families.
The third point, reconciliation, is also worth supporting. Reconciliation is absolutely critical for this country. It is one of the major issues for our country to address. I am very concerned about what has happened to that effort as a result of John Howard. I once again say to the indigenous community and to people who are committed to trying to work in harmony with indigenous people that John Howard does not count that much on this and we will continue to work on the issues.
MR BERRY (6.03): I seek leave to move a motion to suspend the house for an hour and a half.
Leave granted.
MR BERRY: I move:
That the business of the Assembly be suspended until 7.30 p.m. for a meal break.
Motion (by Mr Stanhope ) proposed:
That the question be now put.
Mr Humphries: Mr Speaker, I would submit that it is appropriate for you to use your discretion to refuse that motion. A member of the government wishes to make a brief comment.
MR SPEAKER: I decline to put the question, but be brief, please, Mr Minister.
MR HUMPHRIES (Treasurer, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Community Safety) (6.04): Mr Speaker, the comment made by Mr Berry that there was agreement or consensus that we should have a suspension is not accurate. There is not an agreement on that. I am not sure what the house is prepared to do, to be perfectly frank. I indicated to Mr Berry before that I would be happy to test that by moving the adjournment of the house. If the majority of members wish to have a dinner break, they can vote no to the adjournment. If they do not, they can vote yes to the adjournment.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
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