Page 2995 - Week 14 - Tuesday, 5 December 1989
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arrangements. I made a commitment on 11 May to introduce antidiscrimination legislation following broad community consultation. We are negotiating with the Commonwealth to open an office of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission in Canberra to provide access to antidiscrimination protection for our community. As members will no doubt be aware, I have recently released a discussion paper outlining proposals for ACT antidiscrimination legislation. This legislation will outlaw discrimination on the basis of race, sex, marital status, parenthood, religious conviction, political belief or disability. The Liberal Party showed its commitment to combat discrimination when they attempted to remove budget funding for antidiscrimination activities.
Our Government has been particularly active in its efforts to reduce the impact of sexual discrimination. We have been progressively increasing the representation of women on boards and committees in an endeavour to better reflect the neglected talents and skills available in over half of our community. In this year's budget the Government included a number of proposals designed to improve the economic status of women. Having survived an attempt by the Liberal Party to remove them, they will now be implemented.
On 11 May I told the Assembly that access to adequate and affordable housing is of paramount importance to improving people's quality of life. I committed the Government to a comprehensive review of ACT housing policy. That review is now almost complete but already we are seeing its benefits. The Government has announced proposals for a rental bond trust and an agents fidelity guarantee fund. We have commenced replacement of the Melba Flats. We have exempted low-income first home buyers from stamp duty. We have also implemented a range of policies to assist homeless youth. I believe that the Government's actions with respect to housing are unsurpassed.
Environmental protection has always been high on the Government's agenda, and in six months we have done much. Pesticide control legislation has been introduced and passed. ACT government purchasing of sand and gravel from the Murrumbidgee corridor has been stopped. Environmental assessment legislation is being drafted and will be introduced after community consultation. The recently released ACT environment strategy is of major importance. It is a comprehensive action plan for environmental protection, and I am proud of it.
We have not, however, simply concentrated on our natural environment. The Government has also been active in preserving our urban and cultural environment. I have implemented, and will continue to implement, policies designed to keep Canberra the great place that it is. Early in the life of our administration I established a task force to identify areas of heritage significance. The end result of the task force's work will be a comprehensive
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