Page 5866 - Week 14 - Tuesday, 7 December 2010
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March 2011 will mark the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day. International Women’s Day is an opportunity for women to come together in unity and friendship, to celebrate achievements and to highlight current social, economic and political issues. The ACT government has a long history of recognising the vital, significant and often extraordinary contribution of women in our community through the presentation of women’s awards around International Women’s Day in March of each year. In the celebration of the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day, an honour roll of local women is being produced to highlight the contributions and achievements of recipients of these awards.
In closing, I thank Ms Porter for bringing this matter of public importance to the chamber and recognise the support that this government is giving to women in the community. Whilst we do a good job, I know there is always more to do, and I am happy to have those conversations with members here in the chamber and a number of community groups to do just that.
MR ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Mr Hargreaves): The discussion is concluded.
Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Bill 2010 (No 4)
Debate resumed from 18 November 2010, on motion by Mr Corbell:
That this bill be agreed to in principle.
Standing and temporary orders—suspension
MRS DUNNE (Ginninderra) (4.05): Mr Speaker, I move:
That so much of the standing and temporary orders be suspended as would prevent debate on reasons why the Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Bill 2010 (No 4) should be adjourned, being debated.
I know that this is unusual and that normally adjournments are put straightaway and forthwith, but this is an important issue which deserves some airing, and I think we should actually be able to discuss whether or not this matter should be adjourned.
What we are looking at today in debate on the Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Bill—and other bills that will come after, both today and on Thursday—is the government racing to push bills through at the last minute so that there is not sufficient time for the Assembly to consult with the community on these bills and ensure that they are appropriately covered.
I have attempted to appeal to the better nature of the manager of government business. I put him on notice some time ago—I think on 19 November—that, given the short time between when these bills would be introduced and the next sitting, the opposition was not prepared to debate these bills except in exceptional circumstances. I have on a number of occasions in conversations and in meetings with the manager of government business reinforced that and put the point that members would decide on a case-by-case basis the appropriateness of whether or not these bills should be debated this week.
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