Page 1913 - Week 06 - Tuesday, 6 June 2017
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elections. Mr Milligan is right that participation has been low in the past, but it has also been growing over previous elections and we hope to see a significant growth in participation in this election. Passage of this bill will allow the new elected body to operate under a new, stronger and clearer framework. I commend the bill to the Assembly.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Bill agreed to in principle.
Detail stage
Bill, by leave, taken as a whole.
MS STEPHEN-SMITH (Kurrajong—Minister for Community Services and Social Inclusion, Minister for Disability, Children and Youth, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Minister for Workplace Safety and Industrial Relations) (11.55), by leave: Pursuant to standing order 182A(a), I move amendments Nos 1 to 3 circulated in my name together [see schedule 2 at page 1935].
MR RATTENBURY (Kurrajong) (11.56): Having missed the opportunity to speak earlier, I want to make a few brief remarks because the ACT Greens are happy to support the bill before the Assembly today. We consider that the elected body holds a special place in legislation in the engagement of Australian governments with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and should be celebrated as such. It forms a clear basis for formal consultation and collaboration and is unique in providing for an estimates-style hearing for whole-of-government reporting on services and programs that are of interest to the body and, through them, to the broader community.
If I might be so bold, it has some resonance with the calls from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander delegates at the recent recognise summit who, in the Uluru declaration, called for a first nations voice to be enshrined in the constitution. There might be some learning for the federal government in the ACT’s groundbreaking model that could support a more genuine and considered response from our federal leaders as they contemplate the contents of the Uluru declaration.
I know these amendments have been under deliberation and consultation for some time, particularly those in the main legislation but also those that Minister Stephen-Smith has just moved. I appreciate the minister taking the time to continue with that ethos of feedback and input right up until the point of tabling and debating. It is vital that the ACT government remains flexible and responsive to the views of the elected body if we are truly to be seen to be working together.
The bill clarifies some of the roles and responsibilities of the body and the ACT government alike and will also support the broader community’s understanding of the functions of the body and the obligations of the government to support those
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