Page 4016 - Week 13 - Wednesday, 5 December 2007

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Hugh Evans from Victoria studies in the area of international relations, focusing on foreign affairs. This 2004 Young Australian of the Year also produced the “Make Poverty History” Concert in 2006, Australia’s largest-ever youth-run charity event held in Australia. In the future, Mr Evans hopes to contribute to the Australian public service by helping to shape Australia’s foreign policy direction.

David Hume from New South Wales studies in the area of law. Mr Hume is currently the Associate to the Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia. David will use his Monash award to study for a doctorate of philosophy at Oxford University. David hopes to develop a charter of rights for Australia in the future.

Brendan Lim from South Australia also studies in the area of law. Mr Lim is currently working as a judge’s associate in the Federal Court in Adelaide. Brendan’s ambition is to be a legal academic and to revive the contribution of the common law to our constitutional government, particularly in emerging democracies.

Colonel Roger Noble from the Australian Capital Territory studies in the area of international relations and the military. Roger will use his award to focus on developing a first-hand understanding of the United States, its key institutions and contemporary thinking and culture. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for command and leadership in action in Iraq.

Frances Voon from New South Wales studies in the area of refugees. Frances intends to undertake pioneering research that will advance the development of effective Australian responses to refugee situations. Frances hopes her work will help raise Australia’s standing as a leader in research in an area of growing international concern.

As you can see, Mr Speaker, the recipients are well deserving of these prestigious awards, and I urge the Assembly to recognise the contribution that award ceremonies such as this make to our society. These organisations encourage a high level of academic achievement, and the Assembly should lead the community in praising this commendable foundation.

Single parent families

Annual reports process

Land development

MR SESELJA (Molonglo) (6.26): Before I get onto the subject matter that I want to speak about, I will respond to a couple of the previous contributions. I say to Dr Foskey that I think it is a great story and I pay tribute to her as a single mother raising her two kids. We sometimes forget what a challenge it is to raise a child. It is a challenge for two people to raise a child but for one person to have to do that is a significant challenge. I pay tribute to single mothers, including Dr Foskey, although I have to say I might not share the excitement when my daughter attends her formal. I am not particularly looking forward to that day but it is many, many years away.

In relation to what Ms MacDonald had to say, I respond by saying that allocating one hour for Health during the annual reports hearings is a bit of a joke. We are talking about an $800 million budget. For the Assembly, through its annual reports—


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