Page 828 - Week 03 - Thursday, 25 March 1993
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of community based care and support services. We will also work to harness the skills and energies of an ageing population, which will increasingly be physically fit and financially secure. I have given a brief picture of some of the current developments under this Government which are designed to enrich the lives of our senior citizens.
Finally, it may be of interest to members to know of some of the remaining events for Seniors Week. A seniors painting exhibition is being held, with works by non-professional senior artists. The paintings will be on display at the Canberra Centre on Friday during shopping hours. The Council on the Ageing is holding a debate between teams from the ANU and the University of the Third Age on the topic, "Retirement is a trick, not a treat". The debate will be held at Hughes Community Centre tomorrow. On Friday of this week, Successful Ageing ACT is running a seminar entitled "Social policy on ageing in the ACT: Directions for the 1990s and beyond". Over the past two-and-a-half years Successful Ageing ACT has undertaken a great deal of valuable work in our community. I will be opening this seminar, which will bring together social planners in the ACT to look at positive directions for future planning for our older citizens. As members will be aware, the changing patterns of ageing and the new and emerging needs of this group within our community are assuming increasing importance for us all, as we work to provide a future in which our seniors can enjoy the quality of life to which they are entitled. I present a copy of this statement, and I move:
That the Assembly takes note of the paper.
Debate (on motion by Mr Kaine) adjourned.
CENTENARY OF FEDERATION : AUSTRALIAN REPUBLIC
Discussion of Matter of Public Importance
MADAM SPEAKER: I have received letters from Mr Lamont and Mr Stevenson proposing that matters of public importance be submitted to the Assembly. In accordance with standing order 79, I have determined that the matter proposed by Mr Lamont be submitted to the Assembly, namely:
The need for the Government to address the Centenary of Federation with the view of Canberra as the Capital of the Australian Republic.
MR LAMONT (3.23): Madam Speaker, it may come as some surprise to those opposite in particular, but it is certainly my hope that this debate this afternoon should not be turned into a party political debate, but in fact should address issues on a far sounder basis than the way in which some of those issues were addressed recently. I believe that there is, indeed, a growing trend, even within the Liberal Party, in recent days at least, to accept that there is a recognition within the Australian people that Australia should become a republic.
I have a very strong hope that the desire for republicanism should become something which is above that normal political hurly-burly; something which we, as Australians, can all join in together. But I must say that I do believe that an Australian republic is inevitable and that those who oppose it will be left behind to sentimentally mourn an increasingly anachronistic past. Let me state briefly
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