Page 501 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 22 March 2023
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temperature control requirements. Sixteen environmental health officers spent approximately 182 hours at the festival across the day and evening shifts, and during the festival they completed a total of 283 food safety inspections. This important work contributed to ensuring the festival was a safe and enjoyable event for all. I would like to add my acknowledgement of the work of this team and all of those across the community who contributed to the National Multicultural Festival being such a success. I extend my gratitude for everybody’s hard work.
MS CHEYNE (Ginninderra—Assistant Minister for Economic Development, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Business and Better Regulation, Minister for Human Rights and Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (10.23), by leave: I present the following paper:
2023 National Multicultural Festival—Ministerial statement, 22 March 2023.
I move:
That the Assembly take note of the paper.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
ACT Heritage Council—independent review—update
Ministerial statement
MS VASSAROTTI (Kurrajong—Minister for the Environment, Minister for Heritage, Minister for Homelessness and Housing Services and Minister for Sustainable Building and Construction) (10.23): I rise to brief the Assembly on the outcome of the freedom of information decision on the release of the full report into the review of the ACT Heritage Council, which I tabled with the Assembly to address the motion of 9 February 2023. I note the decision made by the information officer under the Freedom of Information Act on 23 February 2023 to release the full report with the redaction of all details that may reveal personal information or the identity of individuals. That decision and the associated documents were provided to the applicants and included on the disclosure log of the Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate and the Open Access Information Scheme.
I have previously briefed the Assembly on my decision in August 2022 to direct EPSDD to undertake an independent review on the council’s performance and the relationship between council members and the ACT Heritage unit in the Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate. This review was completed by Nous Group and painted a concerning picture. The review confirmed there were wide-ranging and complex structural issues impacting the performance and relationship of the council and ACT Heritage. I was saddened and disappointed by the findings.
As Canberra continues to grow, the community and the government, now more than ever, require well-functioning heritage arrangements to ensure the ACT’s natural, cultural and Indigenous heritage are recognised, registered and conserved for future generations. This requirement relies on good legislation and an effective Heritage Council that delivers its statutory functions under the Heritage Act 2004 in a collaborative and professional manner.
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