Page 4738 - Week 15 - Thursday, 16 December 1993
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WORLD'S INDIGENOUS PEOPLES - INTERNATIONAL YEAR
Ministerial Statement
MS FOLLETT (Chief Minister and Treasurer): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement on the International Year of the World's Indigenous Peoples.
Leave granted.
MS FOLLETT: I thank members. Mr Deputy Speaker, 1993 was designated by the United Nations as the International Year of the World's Indigenous Peoples. As this year draws to a close, I believe that it is appropriate to highlight what the ACT Government has done to mark this important year. The theme of the international year has been "Indigenous Peoples - a new partnership". The international focus of the year was involving indigenous peoples in the planning, implementation and evaluation of policies and programs affecting them. Naturally, there was an emphasis on enhancing the relationship between indigenous Australians and the wider community and on increasing knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures as part of our unique national heritage.
Mr Deputy Speaker, in celebrating the year, the ACT Government has focused its attention on developing initiatives which achieve a number of objectives. We have been mindful of the need for initiatives which strengthen consultative links, redress disadvantage, promote an awareness and understanding of issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and serve as a lasting reminder of the international year and the Government's commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the ACT.
Consistent with the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody and the Government's commitment to social justice, the Government has implemented a number of initiatives aimed at strengthening consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Such consultation is vital to the achievement of self-determination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The formation earlier this year of the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Council, which advises me on issues relevant to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in the ACT, has been a crucial step. The council provides a link to government by providing a forum in which members of the communities can raise issues of concern and, conversely, through which government agencies are able to seek community comment and advice in formulating and reviewing key policy documents.
I am very pleased with the work of the council during its first year of operation. Its achievements during the year have been significant. The council has worked closely with ACT government agencies in relation to a wide range of matters and has participated in legislative reform and had significant input into the development and implementation of numerous policies and programs in areas such as employment, education, training, the administration of justice and the planning of Gungahlin. The council also provided me with advice in relation to initiatives which the Government has implemented to celebrate the international year.
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