Page 4720 - Week 15 - Thursday, 16 December 1993
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MS FOLLETT: Madam Speaker, the Liberals, of course, have declined to undertake such a process, although they did take part in such a process in the earlier part of the electoral legislation; so they are being inconsistent. I think the greatest failure on their part is a failure in the task that they set for themselves, and that is to adopt a more non-adversarial approach in this chamber. I have heard the present Leader of the Opposition say on many occasions that she was interested in a non-adversarial approach, a collegiate style of government.
Mrs Carnell: And in community consultation and doing what the community wanted.
MADAM SPEAKER: Order!
MS FOLLETT: A collegiate style. She has said that on many occasions.
Mrs Carnell: Doing what the community wants.
MADAM SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, if you ask a question, perhaps you could listen to the answer. Order!
MS FOLLETT: Madam Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition does not want to listen to the answer because she knows that it demonstrates just how fraudulent her claims are and how deceitful her stance to the community is when she continues to say that she wishes to operate in a non-adversarial manner. We have heard her hurling invective, howling like a banshee, all day today, and any suggestion that this is a non-adversarial approach is totally fraudulent.
International Year of the Family
MS SZUTY: My question is also to the Chief Minister, Ms Follett. I gave Ms Follett notice earlier today that I would be asking this question. I note that very shortly today the Chief Minister will present a ministerial statement in relation to the International Year of the World's Indigenous Peoples. I note also that the Prime Minister and the Minister for Family Services recently launched 1994 as the International Year of the Family. Can the Chief Minister inform the Assembly as to when she will be announcing the ACT Government's initiatives for the International Year of the Family, especially in response to the nine key priority issues identified?
MS FOLLETT: I thank Ms Szuty for the question, Madam Speaker. The Government has given considerable thought to this important year and has undertaken a considerable amount of preparation already. We are continuing to work on a series of initiatives which focus on key issues for families in the ACT. These will also acknowledge and take into account the nine key priority issues that have been identified by the Commonwealth and, as Ms Szuty said, were launched by the Prime Minister some little time ago.
We are working closely with the Commonwealth in preparation for the International Year of the Family, and I have recently written to the Prime Minister accepting his invitation to participate in the development of an Australian agenda for families. This document will reflect the principles of social justice and it will focus on priority areas such as assistance for families experiencing disadvantage.
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