Page 21 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 16 February 1993
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This year will see the finalisation of the first Territory Plan, fulfilling the Government's objective of a planning system that is open and accountable, and provides certainty to the community. As the International Year of the World's Indigenous Peoples, 1993 will see a strong focus from this Government on the needs of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. I expect shortly to announce the membership of the new Aboriginal Advisory Council, which will assist the Government in evaluating existing services and in planning new initiatives. The Government intends to conduct another householder survey to ascertain the views of the Canberra community on a wide variety of issues. This is another example of the Government continuing its commitment to community consultation.
This year, as I am sure members are aware, is the eightieth anniversary of the naming of Canberra as the nation's capital - in effect, our city's eightieth birthday. It is an ideal time to choose a flag for the Territory. In consultation with all members of the Assembly, four options have been developed, and we are now at a stage where these options can be presented to the community. With the cooperation of the Canberra Times, the community will be asked to indicate a preferred flag, which I hope can be unfurled on Canberra Day.
Madam Speaker, 1993 promises to be an interesting year in the life of our nation and the Canberra community. With the cooperation of Assembly members, I believe that the Government can promise that we will end the year with Canberra an even better place to live and work in than it was before. I present the following papers:
Government's priorities for 1993 - Ministerial statement, 16 February 1993.
Legislation program - Autumn sitting 1993.
I move:
That the Assembly takes note of the papers.
Debate (on motion by Mr Kaine) adjourned.
GOVERNMENT'S VISION
Discussion of Matter of Public Importance
MADAM SPEAKER: I have received a letter from Mr Westende proposing that a matter of public importance be submitted to the Assembly for discussion, namely:
Lost opportunities: The Government's lack of vision for the ACT.
MR WESTENDE (3.31): Madam Speaker, it is appropriate that I follow immediately the statement of the Chief Minister because the two characteristics which best describe the Follett Government are its lack of vision and its lack of direction for this fine Territory of ours. In the middle of last year the Chief Minister, in her ministerial statement on the program of the third ACT Labor Government, made many references to making clear the intentions of the Government. In part she said:
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