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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 3 Hansard (7 March) . . Page.. 737 ..

MR CORBELL (continuing):

There is no doubt in my mind that the functioning of our institutions and that the quality and the value of our decision-making are greatly improved and that our decisions are far better informed through women being directly involved in all forums. The involvement of women in the forums and the councils of decision-making leads to a far better level of decision-making. It is incumbent upon men, who are still very much dominant in politics, law and a range of other forums, to work with women in ensuring that they are engaged more in those councils and forums.

I am conscious that I initially became a member of this place because of the resignation of a very prominent woman, Rosemary Follett. I certainly feel that it is incumbent upon me, as her replacement in this place, to seek to deliver a service and uphold a position of public service which she brought to this place when she was a member of it.

Commentary and discussion around the need for men to have their own forums and days of celebration in some respects miss the point. We have those forums now, because we are dominant in parliaments, the courts and other forums of decision-making and power in our society. These are institutions created by men for men. Commentary that we need our own institutions such an international men's day misses the point entirely. Indeed, it could be argued that every other day is already a man's day, given the dominant role men still play in decision-making in our communities.

It is important to recognise the significance of the day, recognise its contemporary relevance and argue that we need to continue to build and strengthen these institutions.

MR SPEAKER: The discussion is concluded.

Legal Affairs-Standing Committee

Scrutiny Report No 6

MR STEFANIAK (5.10): I present the following report:

I ask for leave to move a motion authorising the publication of the report.

Leave granted.

MR STEFANIAK: I move:

Question resolved in the affirmative.

MR STEFANIAK: Mr Speaker, I ask for leave to make a brief statement.

Leave granted.

MR STEFANIAK: Scrutiny Report No 6 contains the committee's comments on one bill. I commend that report to the Assembly.

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