Page 3443 - Week 11 - Wednesday, 22 October 2014
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We support women’s financial independence through initiatives such as the ACT women’s microcredit program. This program, administered by Lighthouse Business Innovation Centre, supports women to establish or develop existing businesses.
We have already discussed this morning our multicultural community. I think it is part of our deep understanding of and respect for our multicultural community that has a significant impact on our being a livable city. I will continue to celebrate and support out multiculturalism through events such as our National Multicultural Festival and the Multicultural Awards, as well as events such as Diwali, Refugee Week and Ramadan.
MS PORTER (Ginninderra) (12.10): I am very happy to speak on this topic and support my colleague Dr Bourke. This is a very important motion because it gives this Assembly the opportunity to talk about what we are doing as elected members to improve the lives of our constituents, the very reason we were elected.
You have to agree that being recognised in one way or another in the OECD report on regional wellbeing is something anyone could be proud of—let alone being named the world’s most livable city. That is why it is very disappointing to see the continued Canberra bashing and to see the Prime Minister of this country not even acknowledging such an achievement. It is not unusual for him not to be statesman-like. You need only look at the recent statement in relation to shirt-fronting a leader of another country or the ridiculous comment proclaiming that coal is good for humanity. Just be gracious, Prime Minister. Yes, Canberra is a nice city, along with Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and Adelaide—and did he mention Darwin? However, Canberra is the most livable city in the world.
Coming back to the report, it is particularly important because it clearly confirms that this Labor government has got the balance right. That is, we have continued to maintain a strong economy but not at the expense of not providing much-needed support to the vulnerable in our society. Let me quote Angel Gurria, Secretary-General of the OECD:
Focusing on people’s well-being and societal progress, the OECD is looking not only at the functioning of the economic system but also at the diverse experiences and living conditions of people and households.
Madam Speaker, this goes to the heart of what this Labor government is about, and it is what sets us apart from the Canberra Liberals and their federal counterparts. That is, whereas the Canberra Liberals and their coalition partners see everything as just numbers which they can play with, regardless of the human cost and suffering, we in Labor believe that the best way to progress a society is by investing in its people by providing the best possible environment and support to enable them to realise their potential, ensuring that no-one is left behind.
This report highlights precisely what this government has been talking about, and implementing, for many years. It recognises that governments and policymakers must look at society as a whole. We know all too well that the Leader of the Opposition,
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