Page 4643 - Week 14 - Thursday, 24 November 2005
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
the idea that we should all thank volunteers at least once a year and celebrate their wonderful and invaluable contribution.
In conclusion, I would ask all members present to recognise at least two facts. Volunteers are the lifeblood of our community across a myriad of activities and disciplines, and the lifeblood of our community will need a transfusion in the very near future, if not already,. However, I am sure that the community, business and the government can work together to solve this work force issue. Having said that, I recognise and thank all volunteers that work in the ACT, all those who work to support and manage that huge work force, and Volunteering ACT as their peak body.
MR TEMPORARY DEPUTY SPEAKER: I call Mr Hargreaves.
MR HARGREAVES (Brindabella—Minister for Disability, Housing and Community Services, Minister for Urban Services and Minister for Police and Emergency Services) (4.58): I rise in my capacity as minister for community services, the portfolio in which sits volunteering.
Mrs Dunne: She couldn’t even speak for 15 minutes on her own MPI.
Mr Seselja: What a disgrace!
MR TEMPORARY DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order!
Mr Pratt: Well done, Mr Acting Temporary Deputy Speaker!
MR HARGREAVES: Gee you are a scumbag, you are.
Mr Pratt: Up yours, Hargreaves; up yours. Cockroach.
MR HARGREAVES: The ACT government’s sustainability report states that we lead the nation, with 41 per cent of the population volunteering in one capacity or another. That is something we ought to be proud of. I would like to cite a number of examples.
Mr Pratt: I take a point of order, Mr Acting Temporary Deputy Speaker. I would like you to ask Mr Hargreaves to withdraw the derogatory term “scumbag”.
MR HARGREAVES: I withdraw calling Mr Pratt a scumbag without reservation, Mr Temporary Deputy Speaker, to give you your correct title.
The Citizens Advice Bureau’s Contact 2005 lists over 2,800 community organisations. None of those could function without the dedication and commitment of the volunteers. As Ms Porter said, and I thank her for raising the issue today, much of our community life revolves around volunteer-type activities, as do cultural events such as the National Multicultural Festival, the National Folk Festival, the Heritage Festival and Floriade, to name just some.
Canberra has about 43,000 carers, almost 13 per cent of the ACT population, the majority of whom care for a relative or a friend on a voluntary basis. Why do they do it? They do it because they want to, not because they have to because they are paid to do so.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .