Page 224 - Week 01 - Thursday, 14 February 2008
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This petition of certain residents of the Australian Capital Territory draws to the attention of the Assembly that the safety and security of patrons and staff at Bus Interchanges and on ACTION buses is a serious issue.
Your petitioners therefore request that the Assembly act to ensure that adequate safety and security measures are put in place at the City, Woden, Tuggeranong and Belconnen Bus Interchanges, and all ACTION buses as a matter of urgency.
The Clerk having announced that the terms of the petitions would be recorded in Hansard and a copy of each referred to the appropriate minister, the petitions were received.
Standing orders—suspension
Motion (by Mr Stanhope) agreed to, with the concurrence of an absolute majority:
That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent notice No 3, Executive business relating to the reaffirmation of the Assembly’s apology to Indigenous Australians, being called on forthwith.
Apology to Indigenous Australians
MR STANHOPE (Ginninderra—Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Business and Economic Development, Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Minister for the Environment, Water and Climate Change, Minister for the Arts) (10.32): I move:
That this Assembly:
(1) reaffirms its apology made in this place on 17 June 1997 to the Ngunnawal people and other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the ACT for the hurt and distress inflicted upon any people as a result of the separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families;
(2) once again assures the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of this Territory that the Assembly regards the past practices of forced separation as abhorrent and expresses our sincere determination that they will not happen in the ACT;
(3) reaffirms its commitment to a just and proper outcome for the grievances of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people adversely affected by those policies;
(4) further, notes the historical significance of the Rudd Labor Government which yesterday moved a formal apology in the Parliament of Australia which marks the beginning of true reconciliation with the Indigenous population of Australia, and a significant point in the process of healing for those Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who were victims of those policies; and
(5) commends the Prime Minister for his leadership on this matter.
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