Page 4311 - Week 13 - Thursday, 17 November 2005
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
in the ACT. It was due to the dedication, the expertise and the negotiation skills of officers within the Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services that the commonwealth was able to see the light and recognise some of the innovative things we have been doing. I commend the work of those officers to the Assembly.
Paper
Mr Hargreaves presented the following paper:
Annual Reports (Government Agencies) Act, pursuant to section 13—ACT Emergency Services Authority—Revised Annual Report 2004-2005.
Supplementary answer to question without notice
Budget—public service savings
MR QUINLAN: During question time I took a question without notice in relation to staff numbers and redundancies within the ACT Public Service. I can report that the government is receiving monthly reports on restructuring and redundancies. As at 3 September, across the ACT Public Service, there were an estimated 78 potentially excess officers and 19 actual excess officers. During September 2005, three officers were redeployed. Seventeen officers accepted voluntary redundancy, compared with 13 in August and 16 in July. The October figures are still being collated.
Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve
Discussion of matter of public importance
MR SPEAKER: I have received letters from Mrs Burke, Dr Foskey, Ms MacDonald, Ms Porter and Mr Pratt proposing that matters of public importance be submitted to the Assembly. In accordance with standing order 79, I have determined that the matter proposed by Ms MacDonald be submitted to the Assembly, namely:
The importance of the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve and its place as an integral part of the ACT.
MS MacDONALD (Brindabella) (3.22): We all know and value the ACT as a beautiful and diverse place. Along with the four other Brindabella members, I am fortunate to have one of Canberra’s most beautiful and important natural resources in my electorate. Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve and the surrounding Tidbinbilla precinct has long been an integral part of the ACT and the Canberra community. Often described as the “jewel in the crown” of the ACT’s park system, Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve was the first area to be designated as a nature conservation reserve in the ACT. Because of this, we are now able to enjoy our wonderful reserve and share it with all of Australia and the world.
The Tidbinbilla region has a long and significant history. It is a place that is culturally important to the Aboriginal community, with the name “Tidbinbilla” deriving from the Aboriginal word “Jedbinbilla”, meaning a place where boys become men. It is possible that Aboriginal ancestors have occupied the region since the beginning of time and the region contains many places rich in oral and historic tradition, as well as many archaeological sites that demonstrate the comprehensive indigenous occupation of the area.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .