Page 2270 - Week 06 - Thursday, 6 June 2019
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As we have heard, we have a shared experience, a shared parliamentary partnership, and we have developed a deep and abiding relationship with Kiribati. We have been twinned since 2007 through the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. We have been able to exchange knowledge and ideas and share our experiences in operating relatively young parliamentary democracies. Since the program has begun, as we have heard, we have sent a number of delegations and likewise received inbound delegations of members and staff of the Kiribati parliament here in Canberra. The Clerk has visited three times, I am informed, and describes the relationship as a very beneficial way to build connections that are mutually beneficial for both parliaments. As we have heard, a number of current MLAs have visited Kiribati, and there is another delegation going this year. I wish the delegation all the best for this important visit.
An exchange of ideas and knowledge between our two parliaments ensures that we continue to have a strong connection with our regional neighbours. Clearly this is an important mechanism for fostering strong, democratic processes and institutions in the Pacific. I note that there is now an Australia-wide effort to engage more with the Pacific. We have an important role to play in that. I look forward to continuing to do so through the parliamentary relationship that we are discussing today and also through our friendship city relationship with Dili and our relationship with our sister city, Wellington, in the Pacific.
Before I conclude my remarks, I would like to briefly note the significant impacts of climate change for Kiribati. It is not an academic debate for people there; it is a very real threat to their future. Kiribati is internationally recognised as one of the world’s most vulnerable countries when it comes to climate change. A majority of the islands there are less than two metres above sea level; they are highly vulnerable to rising sea levels, storms and high tides. There is already evidence of incremental salinisation of freshwater aquifers.
I am pleased to report that the commonwealth government is providing climate change support through a number of bilateral, regional and global programs. With our friendship with Kiribati comes a constant reminder that we have a responsibility to do our best to limit the impacts of climate change. That is the action of a good friend. I thank the Speaker for bringing this motion before the Assembly.
MRS DUNNE (Ginninderra) (4.53): Like the Chief Minister, I want to thank the Speaker for bringing forward this important motion today, to mark the 40th anniversary of the independence of Kiribati, and for us to convey our best wishes to the people of Kiribati on this auspicious anniversary.
The Kiribati parliament, the Maneaba ni Maungatabu, and the ACT Legislative Assembly have developed a special relationship through the twinning arrangements auspiced under the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. I have spoken on a number of occasions about how this is actually the real heart of the important work that the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association does. Parliament-to-parliament cooperation is for the benefit of both parliaments, and it has clearly been the case with the twinning arrangement between Kiribati and the ACT Legislative Assembly.
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