Page 258 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 30 May 1989
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as a member of the NSG Party, I will be obliged to vote on all issues before the Assembly. As you are aware, this is an unusual circumstance, as in most other parliaments the Speaker only renders a casting vote. You can all see the dilemma in which I may be placed during an active debate on the floor of the Assembly. However, as I said earlier, I assure you of my best intentions at all times.
To go back to history, Dr Kinloch has suggested that I may follow in Sam Rayburn's footsteps. I did not have this at my fingertips. I had to look it up, I must admit. From 1882 to 1961 Sam Rayburn was a Texan Democrat, the longest serving Speaker in American history. He spent 17 years as Speaker and a total time of over 48 years as a representative of his country. He was temperamentally conservative, he was respected for his honesty and sincerity, and he worked to bring about compromise between factions. So I thank Dr Kinloch for his vote of confidence.
Mr Deputy Speaker, the Speaker is usually selected on the basis of the length of good and honest service to the parliament. He is the respected, indeed revered, elder statesman, the father of the house. I certainly do not see myself as Dr Kinloch's father in real age but, if the activity of the last few days is any guide, I may well look the part in a very short space of time. Nevertheless, my intention is to earn the respect that this position of authority has bestowed upon me. I thank you all for your indulgence, and I conclude by wishing you good health, cheer and noteworthy, amicable deliberations both on the floor of the Assembly and outside this chamber.
MR DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr Prowse. It is a pity to give you your chair back so soon. I could get used to it.
MR WHALAN (Minister for Industry, Employment and Education) (4.45): In this first formal address to the Assembly it is proper for me to acknowledge the responsibility I now share with the Chief Minister and my ministerial colleagues for the good government of the ACT. In fulfilling the trust of the ACT community, I strongly reiterate the Chief Minister's statement that "the principles of the Government are to develop a community based on social justice and economic security".
These principles are central to the portfolio responsibilities I carry in this first Follett Government. Thus, the provision of quality education is critical not only to the personal development of our young people but also to the upgrading of vocational skills in our work force. The importance of this complementary relationship is clearly apparent for youth and women.
The ALP Government is firmly committed to maintaining the high proportion of our young men and women who complete secondary school. We will also be actively working to improve the links between secondary colleges and TAFE so
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