Page 1925 - Week 07 - Thursday, 23 August 2007
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will run out of water first. Mr Cullen says that at the beginning of June 2007, Brisbane and Canberra had 68 weeks of water left, Perth had 65 weeks and Adelaide had a mere 32 weeks of water left. That is not a good statement to hear, particularly coming from an expert researcher in the field. It is a clear message that we need to act now. We need to stop the race. Water is our most precious resource and we in the ACT must address the issue.
It is through these types of conferences that ideas are canvassed, discussed and talked through until they are exhausted so that we, as representatives of our constituents, are better informed. I learnt a great deal about a variety of issues in regard to the environment and industry at this conference. Being able to share the ACT’s experiences with other parliamentarians and experts and being able to hear their experiences in return has been an invaluable experience. As a representative of the ACT Legislative Assembly and as chair of the planning and environment committee, I found this inaugural conference of Australian members of parliament an important step in gaining valuable knowledge in addressing the issue of climate change, and recommend to all members of this Assembly to consider attending future conferences.
Multicultural Youth Forum
Statement by minister
MR HARGREAVES (Brindabella—Minister for the Territory and Municipal Services, Minister for Housing and Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (11.49): I ask leave of the Assembly to make a ministerial statement concerning the multicultural youth forum.
Leave granted.
MR HARGREAVES: I would like to make a statement about the ACT multicultural youth forum entitled “Youth together—talking together”. I note, obviously, the commitment of members opposite in their interest in the youth of today. It is sad to see that I am speaking to empty seats, but I hope members are all listening because this is a very important issue.
MR DEPUTY SPEAKER: You are speaking to me.
MR HARGREAVES: I understand that, Mr Deputy Speaker, and indeed in your capacity as opposition spokesman on multicultural affairs you will be particularly interested in the results of this. I have other comments to make about your performance in the house, Mr Deputy Speaker, but I will pay you credit for your commitment to multicultural affairs, without reservation.
MR DEPUTY SPEAKER: Very sporting of you, Mr Hargreaves. You have the call.
MR HARGREAVES: Many things have been said of me in the past in this chamber, particularly by your good and learned self, but sporting has never been one of them. But I am glad for the appellation. It is something I will wear with pride. Today’s young people in the multicultural community are the face of the ACT’s multicultural future: its cultural makeup, its prejudices, its social bonds, its limitations, its opportunities, its inherited problems and new solutions.
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