Page 305 - Week 01 - Thursday, 13 February 2020
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The fair was filled with an overwhelming variety of market stalls selling an array of delights. Entertainment included dancers, singers and bands. Kenny Koala was there to share helpful information with children, and families could access health and fitness information in addition to connecting with community, volunteer and sporting organisations. Activities included a jumping castle, face painting and sporting demonstrations.
I wish I had time to thank every single person and the community group that was involved, but that simply is not possible. I do wish to make special mention, however, of the ACT Unicycle Riders Society. These generous and enthusiastic community members not only showed off their skills but then invited the curious to have a go. I have to confess that my family ordered a unicycle as a consequence of being at the fair and having a go. We loved it and we enjoyed the core workout. We also enjoyed participating with the Zumba group. What a gift it is to show both children and adults how much fun it can be to get up, to get out and to move.
We know that strong families and strong communities are important parts of our society. Successful activities, such as the fabulous Florey community fair, bring families and individuals together in a way that builds the social networks in our neighbourhoods and suburbs, while also providing families with wholesome recreational activities that all members can participate in. Such experiences create lifelong memories and build relationships amongst parents, children and siblings.
Sharon and her team did amazing work and I am truly grateful for all that they did. I am proud of my electorate and of all those, like Florey Neighbourhood Watch, who work so hard to make Belconnen such a great place to live and to raise a family.
Children and young people—care and protection
MS STEPHEN-SMITH (Kurrajong—Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, Minister for Children, Youth and Families, Minister for Health and Minister for Urban Renewal) (5.17): I rise this evening to acknowledge some incredible work by ACT Policing and the Director of Public Prosecutions in delivering justice for sexually exploited young people in our community. I thank child and youth protection services and their government and community partners for the work they do in supporting young people who have experienced sexual exploitation and abuse.
Members may have seen two recent stories in the media about Canberra men in their 40s who have been separately convicted and sentenced for “maintaining a sexual relationship with a young person”, or, to put it plainly, the sexual exploitation of, in both cases, 15-year-old girls. These are hard cases to bring to court. In both cases what finally brought these men undone and provided enough evidence to secure a conviction was being caught in the act with the girls. But both were known to the system.
One of the men had orders in place not to go near the girl, which he flouted repeatedly. He knew he was committing a crime and, in the end, he pleaded guilty—but only after
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