Page 3372 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 21 August 2018
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Laurie was also a strong advocate for vocational training and accessibility of higher education to the working class. Fundamentally, he understood the value of education and its importance in transforming people’s lives. He is considered to have been an important influence on the federal government reform to the higher education system, which commenced in 1988.
His advocacy continued beyond his working career. After his retirement from the ACTU in 1991 he became chairman of the employment and skills formation council, the federal government’s chief advisory body on vocational education. I have no doubt that the benefit of Laurie’s life work will be felt for many decades by many who never heard of the man.
As Bill Shorten, leader of the federal Labor opposition, said:
Perhaps his greatest gift was the breadth and boldness of his vision … He had a remarkable capacity to see over the horizon, to argue for the interests of future generations as well as his current members.
Vale, Mr Laurie Carmichael. As Bill Shorten said, a giant of the Labor movement remembered with sadness and with pride.
Legacy
MR HANSON (Murrumbidgee) (6.55): I rise tonight to pay tribute and recognition to Canberra Legacy, an organisation that conducts incredibly important work in our community. For one week every September we see Legacy volunteers on our streets. They certainly receive a warm welcome and generous support. I draw attention to much of the work they do behind the scenes for families in our community. I quote from the organisation’s own material:
Legacy is dedicated to caring for the families of deceased and incapacitated veterans. Today Legacy’s caring and compassionate service assists around 65,000 widow(er)s and 1,800 children and dependants with a disability … Legacy is a voluntary organisation supported by veterans, servicemen and women, and volunteers drawn from all walks of life … Legacy is dedicated to enhancing the lives and opportunities of our families through innovative and practical programs aimed at:
• the protection of individuals and families basic needs;
• advocating for their entitlements, rights and benefits;
• assisting families through bereavement; and
• helping people thrive, despite their adversity and loss.
The Legacy Club of Canberra was inaugurated on Anzac Day 1928 with 32 members, following the establishment of the first club in Melbourne in 1923. Since then the club has grown steadily and today Canberra Legacy includes the Yass-Boorowa group.
Legacy is an organisation that I have supported for many years, not just as a seller of badges and teddy bears during badge week but as a legatee supporting widows since
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