Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2001 Week 7 Hansard (21 June) . . Page.. 2342 ..

MR HUMPHRIES (continuing):

The government will also require Canberra Connect to continue to review its government service delivery arrangements to identify further opportunities for incorporation of target initiatives to reduce the digital divide. This includes: effective navigation systems that can be used by people with disabilities; clear, simple and culturally appropriate language for all people living in the ACT; and provision of additional public access Internet terminals.

Mr Speaker, the package of digital divide initiatives which the government has announced today is a very significant advance in bridging the digital divide in the ACT. In a number of areas the proposals have already been acknowledged as groundbreaking.

The government has strongly demonstrated its commitment and resolve to address the digital divide in our community. The government now looks to all members of the community, business and education sectors, to positively and constructively support the implementation of an ACT digital divide framework, to ensure that all members of our community can share in the benefits provided through access to IT and the Internet.

I want to thank again the members of the Digital Divide Task Force, particularly the chair, Mrs Burke, for this important work which I hope will lead to a new generation of changes in the ACT and action in this matter. Mr Speaker, I present the following paper:

ACT Digital Divide Task Force Report-Government response.

Executive Documents Release Bill 2000

Detail stage

Debate resumed.

MR HUMPHRIES (Chief Minister, Minister for Community Affairs and Treasurer) (3.45): I seek leave to move the amendments circulated in my name together. They are amendments to Mr Moore's amendments.

Leave granted.

MR HUMPHRIES: I move my amendments Nos 1 and 2 to Mr Moore's amendments [see schedule 2 at page ]

I indicated earlier in this debate that my view is that these documents should be accessible after 10 years, not after six years. There are different views about this, and I acknowledge those views, but it is my view that it ought to be 10 years. I think it is appropriate for us to understand that this is not a figure arbitrarily plucked out of the air. It is a figure designed to produce a sense of distance between the making of decisions and the recounting of the context of the decisions. It is a process which allows there to be a proper consideration of these things with the benefit of some hindsight. All of us in this place like to think we have enormous hindsight, but we probably could do with more of it.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .