Page 2934 - Week 10 - Thursday, 7 October 2021

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Their social inclusion is vitally important for mental health, community connection and family connections.

With respect to her questioning of the role of government backbenchers in setting up grand motions and plans which have not eventuated, I cannot speak for what happened before my time here in the Assembly. I have put in this motion a requirement for quarterly reports, so that the responsible minister will be able to give us regular updates.

When I first raised with the minister this requirement to put some accountability in the plan, to quote The Mandalorian, her response was along the lines of, “Hold my beer.” I look forward to hearing the first quarterly report on this item.

I also note that I am not just washing my hands of it, pointing my finger at the federal government and saying that it is all their responsibility. Of the 74 lines in this motion, only four actually relate to the federal government. The other 70 lines talk about the ACT government and what it needs to do as part of our community recovery.

I note that the Greens leader, Mr Shane Rattenbury, is in lock step with the federal Greens leader, Mr Adam Bandt, on this issue. I would like to ask the Canberra Liberals members whether they have asked their federal counterparts to raise the rate. I would love to know the answer.

In closing, COVID-19 has exposed and deepened the existing inequalities in Canberra. It has also shown how deeply connected we are to our friends, families, neighbours and colleagues. Recovery must build on those connections, strengthen them and deepen them. A social recovery plan means that, for those most impacted by COVID-19, their lives are transformed. We start removing inequitable systems and structures that have meant they have been left behind. Our society can achieve amazing things when we put our minds to it and work together.

Paragraph (2) agreed to.

Question put:

That paragraphs (1) and (3) be agreed to.

The Assembly voted—

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