Page 3775 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 27 August 2008
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We are determined that members of the community will have the opportunity to be engaged in this process. We want to hear their ideas and priorities. The 2008 summit will also provide an opportunity for me, among other things, to report to the community about progress on the implementation of the ACT multicultural strategy 2006-09. Once again, the 2008 summit will provide an opportunity for members of Canberra’s multicultural groups to contribute ideas about a wide range of issues, including creative ways to sustain the socially harmonious nature of our community; assist those Canberrans who have made a great contribution to our community but cannot speak the English language well, or not at all; support the teaching of community languages to young people; and continue to engage with members of the diplomatic missions located in the ACT. The summit will provide guidance for government and the community to address the identified issues over the next four years.
I want to reiterate on record this government’s commitment to multiculturalism and to addressing the welfare of every member of our multicultural communities in this city. The ACT government will once again ensure that the voice of the multicultural community, in the form of a policy document on strategic directions for the coming four years, is heard. Most people who live in Canberra come from somewhere else, and this is their chance to become involved. Taking the multicultural community lightly is something that people do at their peril.
Mr Stanhope: I ask that all further questions be placed on the notice paper.
Paper
Mr Corbell presented the following paper:
Petition—out of order
Playground facilities in Gungahlin—Mrs Burke (188 signatures).
Maintenance of a sustainable environment
Discussion of matter of public importance
MR SPEAKER: I have received letters from Dr Foskey, Mr Gentleman, Ms MacDonald, Mr Mulcahy and Ms Porter 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 Mr Gentleman be submitted to the Assembly, namely:
The importance of working together to maintain a sustainable environment for the ACT.
MR GENTLEMAN (Brindabella) (3.35): “Sustainability” and the “ACT” are two words that I am pleased work so well together. It is unfortunate that I have only 15 minutes in which to speak on this issue as there is a long list of achievements that the Stanhope Labor government has implemented that ensure we work together to maintain a sustainable ACT.
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