Page 2161 - Week 07 - Thursday, 7 August 2014

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Australian Red Cross—centenary

MR BARR (Molonglo—Deputy Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Housing and Minister for Tourism and Events) (10.34): I move:

That this Assembly:

(1) notes that:

(a) 2014 is the Centenary year of Red Cross in Australia, a significant milestone in the social history of the nation and commemorating 100 years of humanitarian service to the people of Australia;

(b) most Australians have shared a personal connection with Red Cross, from its humanitarian role during two World Wars, to preparing, responding to and recovering from natural disasters, or helping vulnerable people and communities overcome disadvantage, and through its world-class national Blood Service;

(c) for 100 years Australian Red Cross has enjoyed a unique auxiliary status to the public authorities in the humanitarian field, working in partnership with governments of all political persuasions, in Australia and internationally, to alleviate suffering in a voluntary aid capacity whilst adhering to its principles of independence, neutrality and impartiality; and

(d) Australian Red Cross is part of the world’s largest humanitarian movement, with tens of millions of volunteers working in 189 countries, united by the fundamental principle of preventing and alleviating human suffering, without discrimination, wherever it may be found in times of war, conflict, disaster or personal crisis;

(2) recognises that:

(a) today Australian Red Cross has a network of over one million volunteers, members, staff, donors, aid workers and supporters; and

(b) through this network, Australian Red Cross mobilises the power of humanity to work right across the country in local communities in every state and territory, and further afield, to help transform the lives of vulnerable people in need, whoever they are; and

(3) calls on the Assembly to:

(a) join Australian Red Cross in celebrating the 100th anniversary of its founding on 13 August 1914, nine days after the outbreak of World War One;

(b) congratulate generations of Australians for their extraordinary contributions through the everyday work of Red Cross; and

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