Page 4492 - Week 12 - Tuesday, 30 October 2018
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up for workers’ rights. The unions have delivered us annual leave, penalty rates, maternity leave, superannuation, equal pay for women, sick leave, redundancy pay, workers compensation, collective bargaining, and unfair dismissal protection. The union movement has also been at the heart of making Australia the country we love today.
I encourage all members to support workers and to support unions. I am proud of my efforts in the union movement and the work that I continue to do in this place as a Labor member to build a more inclusive, vibrant and better Canberra. I commend the MPI to the Assembly.
Discussion concluded.
Adjournment
Motion (by Mr Gentleman) proposed:
That the Assembly do now adjourn.
Invictus Games
Veterans ministers round table
ACT Australian of the Year
MR RAMSAY (Ginninderra—Attorney-General, Minister for the Arts and Cultural Events, Minister for Building Quality Improvement, Minister for Business and Regulatory Services and Minister for Seniors and Veterans) (3.56): I rise to speak about my recent trip to the Invictus Games and to take part in the veterans ministers round table.
The Invictus Games is truly an inspiring event. I was fortunate enough to watch two events, in wheelchair basketball and athletics. The wheelchair basketball included fierce and skilful competition between the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, with a nailbiting finish as the UK made a strong comeback in the second half but was not quite able to beat the Dutch. Despite the competition, there was a heartwarming moment which showed the spirit of the games. A British player was knocked out of his wheelchair right under the hoop, and two Dutch players linked arms to protect him to make sure that he was not injured. The Dutch gave up possible advantage in the competition to help a fellow competitor, showing the true spirit of Invictus.
I was privileged to present medals to two Australians in the women’s IT7 100 metres final at the athletics. Congratulations to Heidi Joosten on her gold and Alexia Vlahos on her bronze in the event. It was also a pleasure to attend the closing ceremony of the games, which was an amazing event. We celebrated the potential of those who may have been wounded, ill or injured, and their unconquerable spirit. The moving haka by the New Zealand team for George Nepata, the first tetraplegic competitor, on receipt of the exceptional performance award, was a sight to see and to hear. Just as emotional was the embrace by Paul Guest of Edwin Vermetten after Edwin’s award of the “above and beyond” award for his meritable actions on the wheelchair tennis court.
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