Page 1001 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 25 February 2009

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


highlight that segment within the Productivity Commission’s report as it relates to maternity leave provisions, and, in particular, the 18 weeks, the universality of maternity leave and the fact that we are moving forward in maternity leave provisions for women and highlighting that. So, in fact, the intent of the motion is about highlighting the maternity leave provisions as a segment of the Productivity Commission’s report.

Whilst not wanting to diminish or denigrate the position that Mrs Dunne is taking on this—I would be quite willing to support, for example, another motion along similar lines—in the context of Ms Hunter wanting to highlight that segment by putting it front and centre, we will, in fact, support Ms Hunter’s position.

Amendments negatived.

MS HUNTER (Ginninderra—Parliamentary Convenor, ACT Greens) (3.37): In closing, I thank my fellow members for their contributions to this debate regarding such an important issue which goes to the heart of the functioning of a civil society. I also thank them for their support in recognising that paid maternity leave is an essential investment in the workforce.

It is also important in my summing up to respond to some of the comments made by Mr Seselja during the course of this debate. I say in response to Mr Seselja that I saw fit to raise the important issue of paid maternity leave in the lead-up to International Women’s Day, and in future I will continue to raise issues of importance, irrespective of whether or not it is Labor Party policy. If I choose to encourage the government to include certain measures in the budget, I will be doing this in whatever form I see fit, and I will not be consulting Mr Seselja for his views on what is the appropriate forum before I proceed. I also suggest that Mr Seselja should understand the seriousness of the issue in my motion and not refer to his election promises within this context.

Again, I thank members for their support, as I believe many women will on 8 March, International Women’s Day.

Motion, as amended, agreed to.

Planning—Hawker

MRS DUNNE (Ginninderra) (3.39): I move:

That this Assembly:

(1) notes:

(a) that block 8, section 34 Hawker is listed for auction on 18 March 2009 and the development of the site may adversely affect parking for the Hawker Group Centre; and

(b) that there has been no consultation with the Hawker and surrounding community about the future of the Hawker Group Centre; and


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