Page 3785 - Week 11 - Thursday, 24 November 2022
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
to share their stories publicly since coming to attention some short time ago. I also acknowledge the advocacy efforts of these families to highlight the importance of addressing these barriers, and I acknowledge those who are in the chamber with us today, including Nadia from DonateLife. The ACT is the first jurisdiction to make this amendment and I am proud that we are able to help DonateLife ACT continue to provide the best support and care for bereaved families and loves ones.
While the amendments will allow for families to have their loved ones’ gift publicly acknowledged, maintaining the confidentiality of donors and recipients is also of the utmost importance. DonateLife ACT will continue to ensure that sensitive information between bereaved families and transplant recipients is not disclosed.
I hope the bill’s amendments will serve as a blueprint for other jurisdictions to consider and potentially change the legislation and allow bereaved families to share their stories and recognise their generous gift and encourage other people in our community to have these very important conversations. I commend my amendment to the Assembly.
Amendment agreed to.
Bill, as a whole, as amended, agreed to.
Bill, as amended, agreed to.
Australian Capital Territory—fossil emblem
MR BARR (Kurrajong—Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Climate Action, Minister for Economic Development and Minister for Tourism) (11.47): I move:
That this Assembly adopt the Batocara mitchelli as the fossil emblem for the ACT.
This is a straightforward motion and calls on the Assembly to adopt Batocara mitchelli as the ACT’s fossil emblem. This trilobite is an extinct marine arthropod. It is more than 430 million years old, and it lived at a time when the ACT region was under water. Canberra obviously looks very different now. Today Batocara mitchelli is one of the ACT’s most common fossils.
Members may recall that back in 2020 our community was invited to vote for one of five proposed fossil emblems, with the winner, Batocara mitchelli, achieving the most votes. This is not the only time that this fossil has garnered attention in recent Canberra history. An almost complete specimen was discovered during the construction of the John Gorton Building. Usually, I am advised, only fragments of this type of fossil are found.
Earlier this year the adoption of the community-chosen fossil emblem was referred to the Assembly’s Standing Committee on Environment, Climate Change and Biodiversity. The committee has recommended that the territory adopt Batocara mitchelli as our fossil emblem.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video