Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 13 Hansard (5 December) . . Page.. 4520 ..

MS McRAE (continuing):

I think it is gravely reprehensible. It is of grave concern that we have matters of the utmost importance to the community, and what do our Ministers do? Take them on notice and not respond. I think it is time we heard and found out whether Mr De Domenico is keeping his finger on the pulse and reading important publications such as this, which accurately portray the sorts of concerns our community has.

MRS CARNELL (Chief Minister) (6.01): Mr Speaker, very briefly, I would like to table the response I sent today to the Australian. Yesterday Mr Moore asked me a question with regard to the article published by a former Prime Minister, Malcolm Fraser. I mentioned at that stage that I was going to write to the Australian, and I have done so. I would like to read the way I start this letter, because I think it is very important for all of us. It is a quote, interestingly, from Sir Robert Menzies, and it reads:

Old nations have old capitals, rich in history and the beauty of age: London, Paris, Rome. But for a new nation the problem is different, for it must consciously create a capital with all its history to come.

That is a great statement, and it is the sort of thing Robert Menzies said because he believed in Canberra. It is a great pity that Australia's second longest-serving Liberal Prime Minister does not appear to have similar views.

MR STEFANIAK (Minister for Education and Training) (6.02): I would like to put on record that today in the ACT is Volunteers Day. I commend the magnificent work volunteers do in so many areas of our community. I had the pleasure today of going out to the Volunteer Centre at Curtin and handing out a number of certificates, not only to people who have done a lot of work as volunteers but also to some people who have been there for a long time training up volunteers as well. There are many volunteers in our community. They range from volunteers in sporting organisations through to people who go into schools and people who help the elderly. In every facet of life in the ACT you will see citizens helping others, and I would like to put on record my appreciation for the fantastic job all of our volunteers do here in the Territory.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .