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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 13 Hansard (5 December) . . Page.. 4493 ..

MS HORODNY: On the issue of racism, to make a case about racism towards Aboriginal people in particular, I can remember very clearly that when my parents came to this part of the country as migrants they were treated very poorly. Yet they were appalled at the way the general white community treated Aboriginal people in this part of the world, and that was only 30 to 40 years ago. So there is a lot to learn.

I do not think we should fear going back to the past; rather than feeling guilty, we should learn from what has happened in the past. I think it is important to remind people that reconciliation is not about making people feel guilty; it is about recognition of past atrocities and overcoming our problems with a genuine commitment - including resources and education, which I think is critical - to Aboriginal people and Aboriginal culture, not to be afraid to look at the past but to learn from it and as a society to grow towards total reconciliation.

MR MOORE (5.01): I spoke to this issue at length in the debate leading to the vote in the Assembly on 20 April 1994 and my position has not changed since that time. The views I expressed then adequately express my feelings and opinion on this matter. I think it is appropriate for me not to waste the Assembly's time by repeating, effectively, what I said at that time.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Clause 1 agreed to.

Clause 2

MR HUMPHRIES (Attorney-General) (5.03): I move:

Page 1, line 9, subclause (2), omit ", or respective days,".

I present the supplementary explanatory memorandum for this and other amendments I will be moving.

Amendment agreed to.

Clause, as amended, agreed to.

Clause 3 agreed to.

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