Page 872 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 9 March 2016
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That is why I welcome the fact that Mr Hinder has brought this motion forward today. It is an opportunity for us to stand up and say that we in this place do not share those views; that we value everyone in our community; and that if they are having these thoughts, if they are questioning where they fit in, they should feel safe to do so and they should feel that there is support available to them.
I endorse the comments of the Chief Minister this afternoon. I did feel unclear this morning or in the discussion earlier today exactly where Mr Doszpot was on this issue, because I do not feel that he addressed the actual issue at all; I feel he talked right around it. But that is a matter for him to perhaps clarify at a later point in time if he feels that I am misrepresenting his position.
I will be supporting Mr Hinder’s original motion. I will not be supporting the amendment. Mr Hinder’s motion calls on the ACT government to continue to:
… support the Safe Schools Coalition and their operation in the ACT;
… work with teachers, students and parents to address bullying, to ensure all students can learn in a safe and inclusive environment; and
… reject homophobic and transphobic discrimination in all its forms.
I can assure the Assembly that as the Minister for Education I will be working hard to achieve those things through our education, hopefully with the support of all members of this place. I think it is quite appropriate that we make these specific comments and note that the very generic nature of Mr Doszpot’s amendment, whilst it contains fine words, does not address the matter at hand. That is why I will be supporting the original motion today.
MS BURCH (Brindabella) (3.44): I rise in absolute support of this motion that has been put forward by Mr Hinder today. This is a very important issue of creating an inclusive and positive environment for same-sex, intersex and gender diverse students in the school across ACT. I want to thank Mr Hinder for bringing this to the chamber, and it is telling of his ambitions for an inclusive community that his first motion in this place is one of such importance with such reach into the community.
The ACT has long led the nation with regard to supporting same-sex attracted, transgender and intersex people, and I believe all schools have responsibility to each and every child and young person in their care to create and maintain a positive and engaging school environment, to create and maintain environments that are safe and supportive, and to value diversity and promote pro-social behaviour. I acknowledge and note the crew that are here from SHFPACT here in support of this. We regard highly the work that you do and I am really glad that you are here to witness this debate today. Know full well that we support all that you do in delivering the Safe Schools Coalition program here in the ACT.
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