MR SMYTH (continuing):

The Government has noted as not relevant the first recommendation of the Committee's report. The Government is of the view that it has more than adequately met the requirements of the Assembly's resolution of 15 February 2001. We provided information to the Committee about the Draft Budget Initiatives and Capital Works Program.

Mr Speaker, Recommendation 7 seeking to use the $10 million budget surplus to address future liabilities has been agreed by Government. The Committee should note that a number of contributions, including the ACTEW equalisation payment, have already contributed to addressing these liabilities.

One part of Recommendation seeks the Government's agreement to conduct an inquiry and investigation of equity issues in relation to the generation of revenue from taxes and fees. The Government does not agree with this recommendation as an inquiry is already taking place.

Mr Speaker, I thank the Standing Committee for its Report and I commend the Government Response to the Assembly.

Framework for a Multicultural Australian Capital Territory 2001-2005, dated May 2001.

That the Assembly takes note of the paper.

I am pleased to table today the Framework for a Multicultural Australian Capital Territory 2001-2005.

The ACT Government recognises that the ACT is, and will remain, a culturally diverse society and affirms multiculturalism as the best way to manage this cultural diversity.

Canberra is a multicultural city. Some 22 per cent of the ACT population was born overseas, coming from 156 different countries. ACT residents speak about 100 different languages, with 14 per cent of Canberrans speaking a language other than English at home.