Page 33 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 9 December 2008
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Mr Speaker, my presence in this place today is the result of an interesting mix of circumstances and influences. Being the child of Hungarian refugees also imposes on me responsibilities not only to those with a direct connection to my own background but to the wider multicultural community. As our troubled times bring more and more demands on our community to accept displaced peoples from ever different backgrounds, I am aware of my responsibility to ensure that we offer compassion and refuge to those in need, and also to assist them with their responsibilities to their new homeland. All my recently gained shadow portfolio responsibilities—education and training, disability, multicultural affairs, and sport and recreation—have all been areas of passionate interest to me, and I look forward to the opportunity to continue my interaction with the Canberra community in all of these areas.
After two unsuccessful attempts in 2001 and 2004, I now come to this place in 2008 a little bit later in life than I intended to, and a lot later in life than most of my current colleagues in this Assembly. However, I come with experience, ideas, passion and energy from a varied and exciting career in the commercial sector that includes management, international marketing, the ICT industry, and research and development, including most recently with the CSIRO.
Over the past few months, we have all been observers of the dramatic global shift in the economic landscape. The way in which we approach the current problems and business opportunities has changed, and will continue to be impacted by the current global economic situation well into the future. What are the ramifications of the changing global financial business environment for Canberra? What might that mean for our local business and community?
This is a time for bipartisan cooperation and support at the federal and local levels. How governments and oppositions work together nationally and here in Canberra and the way we address the critical issues will be of paramount importance to businesses and to our workforce. The wellbeing of our citizens and the protection of our economy, including job security, will be the yardstick for our community to measure the effectiveness of our governance of this city state of ours.
Mr Speaker, these are changing and uncertain times, and our efforts and abilities to work together in our local Assembly with the federal government and state governments to address the issues and seek solutions are critical. Much more will be required of all of us than ever before. I dare say that this will be viewed as far more relevant and critical in the present environment than any personal ambitions and needless political point scoring.
It is essential that we all work together towards ensuring that our children and grandchildren are provided with world competitive learning and education; that our citizens live in a healthy and safe territory where illness is treated promptly and at a high standard of quality; that our environment is maintained and conserved for our benefit and the benefit of future generations; that the needs of those who suffer disadvantage or adversity are addressed with care and compassion; that our city’s infrastructure and services meet the economic, social and environmental aspirations of our society; that our city has a strong economic future by creating an environment in
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