Page 15 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 22 February 1994
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GOVERNMENT'S PRIORITIES FOR 1994 AND
AUTUMN LEGISLATION PROGRAM
Ministerial Statement and Paper
MS FOLLETT (Chief Minister and Treasurer): Madam Speaker, I seek leave to make a ministerial statement on the Government's priorities for 1994 and the autumn legislation program.
Leave granted.
MS FOLLETT: I thank members. Madam Speaker, I thought it appropriate at the beginning of this important year to outline the Government's policy priorities for the year. As is customary on the first sitting day of each Assembly session, I would also like to table the Government's legislation program for the 1994 autumn sittings. The program provides an overview of the legislation proposals the Government intends to introduce into the Assembly in the first half of this year, as well as those to be prepared for introduction at a later date. The Government has arranged its legislation proposals by portfolio and in a two-tier priority order, with the first priority category consisting of those legislative initiatives which the Government has accorded the highest priority for drafting. It is intended that the initiatives classified as "first priority" be introduced into the Assembly as soon as possible and before the conclusion of the autumn sitting period.
Returning to the Government's policy priorities for 1994, first and foremost it is my intention to continue to deliver responsible government for the ACT. We will consolidate and build on the Government's achievements over the past few years and respond in a considered way to the community's needs. As I have said before, my vision is one which integrates social justice, environmental protection and economic security for the Territory. Underpinning the Government's agenda for the year will be: Continuing stability in the delivery of programs; measures to take advantage of our economic development opportunities; social justice initiatives; and preservation of the special features of our Territory - integrating a modern urban plan into a unique bush setting.
Madam Speaker, let me now turn to some of the specifics of my Government's proposals for this year. A social justice budget statement is being developed for the 1994-95 budget. This statement will help the community to understand the social impact and equity implications of government programs. 1994 is the International Year of the Family and the Government sees the year as an excellent opportunity to celebrate family life, to recognise the importance of families, and to support and strengthen families. I shall make a detailed statement about the international year in the Assembly tomorrow.
An early item in our legislation program this year will be the introduction of legislation to complement the Commonwealth Native Title Act 1993. Madam Speaker, the Government believes that our response to the Mabo decision needs to deal with not only the complex legal and land planning implications but also the broader social justice issues. Accordingly, we are developing a specific Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social justice agenda. The agenda will be broad in scope, in recognition of the economic disadvantage Aboriginal peoples have suffered due to dispossession of their land. We aim to increase the
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