Page 1702 - Week 06 - Thursday, 30 July 2020
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Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander language. I take this opportunity to encourage my colleagues in other parliaments to take up the challenge and to do the same.
I want to thank the United Ngunnawal Elders Council, and its co-chairs, Roslyn Brown and Fred Monaghan, who have generously given of their time to consult with us on the correct form of words, and have provided guidance throughout this process. I would also like to thank Ngunnawal man Cheyne Halloran and linguist Louise Baird, who provided me with much linguistic training. Working with them proved to be a unique experience.
To Warren, who has joined us today, thank you for being here. It is important. Again I reflect on how all of us as one recognised your peoples, your heritage and your culture, and we will continue to do that each day and each time we sit. I hope that this initiative of the Assembly is seen as a further indication of the high regard in which we hold you, as the custodians of this land, and the recognition we give you. With that, with indulgence, I invite the party leaders to speak.
MR BARR (Kurrajong—Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Social Inclusion and Equality, Minister for Tourism and Special Events and Minister for Trade, Industry and Investment) (10.05): Yuma, Madam Speaker. Dhawura nguna, dhawura Ngunnawal. I would like to thank you for your acknowledgement in the language of the Ngunnawal, and acknowledge the very important presence of elders with us today.
This is a historic moment for this Assembly: the first time Ngunnawal language has been used in this place to formally open parliament and to acknowledge the continuing connection to this land that we all have the privilege of living on. I would like to thank all members across the chamber for their support of this acknowledgement.
Madam Speaker, we need to do more to preserve language. According to the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, more than 250 First Australian languages, including 800 dialectical varieties, were spoken on this continent at the time of European settlement in 1788. Due to previous government policies, many languages have been lost. Often, people were banned from speaking their language. Today this parliament recognises that language is intrinsic to culture and identity, and to the cultural heritage of all people in the ACT. There is a need to recognise, to support, to revive and to protect the languages of the traditional custodians and occupants of the land.
Through the 2019-28 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander agreement, the ACT government is supporting the aspirations of the Ngunnawal traditional custodians, and showcasing culture in public spaces, including entry to our city by road, rail and air. Today is a further step in the journey to honour and celebrate the richness and diversity of the world’s oldest living culture. Thank you again for this initiative, Madam Speaker, and I thank the Leader of the Opposition, the leader of the Greens party and all members of this place for their support for this today.
MR COE (Yerrabi—Leader of the Opposition) (10.07): Madam Speaker, the Assembly stands united with the Ngunnawal people, and we are pleased to be part of
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