Page 3604 - Week 08 - Friday, 24 August 2012
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This is just about us as a community saying it is not okay that people are sleeping rough. If the churches want to provide accommodation, we should be supporting that, not trying to hamper it. Again, I remind everyone that we had unanimous support for my motion. I hope that we see this service up and running, hopefully this winter; if not, by next winter.
I think it is good that we have groups in the community willing to come forward and provide this service, not for their own self-interest but because they just want to help people. I hope that there is not a condescending attitude in the government towards this group and this proposal. I think it is a very valid one and I hope we see it up and running soon.
MS BURCH (Brindabella—Minister for Community Services, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Women and Minister for Gaming and Racing) (2.45): I will start by responding to the comments Dr Bourke made. I do so because both Mr Coe and Ms Bresnan started with comments that reflected on Dr Bourke. I find it somewhat insulting here to see members opposite with their eye-rolling, tisk-tisking, shame and indignation when an Aboriginal man stands in this place and outlines his methodology in relation to how he recognises Aboriginal organisations.
I understand that Dr Bourke has discussed his methodology with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body and he has discussed his methodology with AIATSIS. I also understand that, following that discussion, both the elected body and AIATSIS support Dr Bourke in his methodology. Agree with it or not, I would think that it is absolutely critical that members of this place give him the respect that he should be given as an Aboriginal man in his view, in his methodology. He should be able to come and explain it in this chamber without the eye-rolling, the indignation and the sort of pious approach to Aboriginality. If there is anyone in this chamber that can talk about Aboriginality, I actually think it is an Aboriginal man.
Turning to the other comments on housing and safe shelter—and I notice that Ms Bresnan read the article today and quickly flicked a somewhat toned email through to me—can I say, Ms Bresnan, that I did meet—
Ms Bresnan interjecting—
MS BURCH: I did. I was about to say, Ms Bresnan—if you would give me a chance—that the article did not reflect the meeting. We spoke at length with the group—not only the Community Services Directorate but also representatives from ACTPLA—and we outlined the support that we would offer them. At every stage we said that we will do all we can to help them. It is not the position of the government, for the sake of some artificial policy, to stand in the way for the heck of it. Let us be absolutely assured that if we are going to accept the use of a place, it needs to meet standards.
We said to the group yesterday that we will work with them and do all we can. We will work with the certifier. We will make sure that the information they give to the
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