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

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 12 Hansard (19 November) . . Page.. 4371 ..

Mr Phil Cheney

MS TUCKER (6.26): I was caught up with something earlier and I did not get down to the chamber in time to join the debate on Mr Smyth's motion on Phil Cheney. So I want to quickly now make a few comments about that motion and join in with other members in congratulating Mr Cheney. I think it is good to see people being congratulated for scientific work. Scientific work is very complex, particularly the area of fire behaviour, and obviously it is an essential area of research in this dry land.

Mr Cheney is one of what I understand to be a fairly small number of scientists who work in this area, sometimes with different conclusions and asking different questions, as is always the case in scientific research. I am pleased that we had a motion recognising this scientific contribution, as we often have recognition of sporting achievement in this place. I commend Mr Cheney's contribution to the ACT in the area of bushfire behaviour and management, as he has contributed to the general scientific debate and knowledge.

Much like democracy, the strength of scientific knowledge rests on active participation from many, involving scrutiny, careful assessment, debates and testing of different perspectives and evidence. The ACT benefits, along with the rest of Australia, from this lively debate and from Mr Cheney's contribution to it. In saying this, of course, I am not necessarily making any general statement about supporting his conclusions and views over other scientists' work. I just want to put on the record that I appreciate and acknowledge the contribution and energy he puts into the area.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

The Assembly adjourned at 6.28 pm.

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