Page 708 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 19 March 2019
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community organisations emerging, but we know that these organisations need support to build capacity if they are going to be viable in the longer term.
A priority action in the health and wellbeing focus area is to collaborate with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander services and other stakeholders to determine specialist AOD—alcohol and other drug—implementation priorities, including residential rehabilitation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We know this is a critical action and one that the community will be watching closely. I also note that this action was in fact committed to in the ACT drug strategy action plan, released in December 2018. I acknowledge Minister Fitzharris’s ongoing work in this area.
Madam Assistant Speaker, there is no better example of this government’s commitment to self-determination than a treaty. I am pleased to say that a priority action within the cultural integrity core focus area reads:
Work with traditional owners to hear their thoughts on Treaty and support a joint understanding of the opportunity for and implications of a Treaty process for the ACT.
The government has been closely following treaty processes in Victoria and the Northern Territory, and South Australia prior to the change of government. Last year I had initial discussions with the United Ngunnawal Elders Council and the elected body on a treaty for the ACT. I am looking forward to this work continuing with UNEC and the elected body this year. Should the traditional custodians of this land choose to start a treaty process, we know it will be long and complex. But we are up for that challenge. It hangs over every Australian that we are now the only nation to be colonised by the British that does not have a treaty or treaty-like process with its Indigenous peoples.
The agreement’s action plans deliver real community benefits at the grassroots level. Boomanulla Oval is a treasured meeting place for the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community as well as an important sports facility. In the past, the oval was host to everything from major sporting competitions to community and family events. Working with the elected body, the government has already delivered significant improvements to Boomanulla Oval. These include upgrading the main building to provide a multipurpose function room; enhancing the community areas at the rear of the main building; pruning trees, restoring gardens and fixing retaining walls; restoring the garden of achievement; fixing the perimeter fencing where necessary to make the site secure; and creating and restoring artworks to enhance the overall appearance of the site.
The next stage of restoration work is repairing the playing surface, with new turf laid in February and March. This means the oval should be fully restored in time for winter sport, including the return of the men’s and women’s rugby league teams. I acknowledge the work Ms Fanning has done to get to this point, along with Minister Berry and the team at sport and recreation.
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