Page 752 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 24 March 1993
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PAPER
MR BERRY (Minister for Health, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Sport): For the information of members, I present, pursuant to the Drugs of Dependence Act 1989, the 1991-92 report on the operation of the Act.
TOURISM AND A.C.T. PROMOTION - STANDING COMMITTEE
Statement by Member
MR LAMONT: I seek leave to make a short statement in relation to the Standing Committee on Tourism and ACT Promotion.
Leave granted.
MR LAMONT: Following the appointment yesterday of Mr Westende to that committee, I caused the committee to assemble this morning, at which time the committee elected Mr Westende as presiding member of the Tourism and ACT Promotion Standing Committee of the Legislative Assembly.
UNEMPLOYMENT
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:
The unacceptable high levels of unemployment.
MR WESTENDE (3.12): Madam Speaker, since the beginning of the new session yesterday we have talked about unemployment. I think everybody would agree that unemployment is the biggest factor inhibiting this country getting back on its feet. Without doubt, the deplorably high level of unemployment is the greatest scourge on our society since the Great Depression and the Great War. Also, without doubt, unemployment is one of the great threats to the future of our country.
It follows that, if the future belongs to our youth, we have to ask the question: What sort of future will it be with so many of our young approaching that future without any real hope of employment? We clearly have a situation of a generation of young people who are facing the serious prospect of an uncertain future. This is not the sort of language that I naturally like to use, nor is it a kind of discussion I find easy. I tend towards a positive view of things, but on a matter as serious as this one also has to face some realities, albeit that they are in fact gloomy, in order to vigorously pursue the right solution and turn the situation around.
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