Page 1028 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 25 February 2009

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MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, members! Conversations are going on across the chamber. Ms Burch, just ignore the interjections.

MS BURCH: On 3 May 2005 Mr Smyth said:

Al was a man who travelled. He had a world view and I think that helped him in his time as a minister. He certainly saw the light that Brisbane was not the place to live … decided that southern New South Wales, and ultimately Canberra, was the only place a man of his stature could be. That shows the knowledge and good judgment of such a man.

That was Mr Smyth speaking of Al Grassby. Mr Smyth went on to say:

I think the reforms that the Chief Minister has outlined are a testament to Al. For me the one that really stands out is the repeal of section 64 of the Migration Act 1958 to 1966. That was the last of the old discriminations against the indigenous people of Australia. It is something he should be remembered for for a long time.

Mr Smyth should check his bookshelf, because apparently he has got on his bookshelf books written by the man.

Mr Hanson: What about the statue? Are you going to say that you think it is a good idea?

MS BURCH: If you have differences with Mr Smyth, perhaps you can have other sub-branch meetings with him, Mr Hanson, like you did on the weekend

MADAM DEPUTYSPEAKER: Order! The time for the debate has concluded.

Motion agreed to.

Adoption Amendment Bill 2008

Debate resumed from 10 December 2008, on motion by Mrs Dunne:

That this bill be agreed to in principle.

MR BARR (Molonglo—Minister for Education and Training, Minister for Children and Young People, Minister for Planning and Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation) (5.10): The government will be supporting the amendments contained within the Adoption Amendment Bill 2008. When first enacted, the Adoption Act 1993 was viewed as progressive legislation which helped to ensure that the territory’s adoption practice remains relevant and responsive to the needs and interests of children. The natural passage of time and the development of a number of key initiatives over the past 10 years, including The Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Cooperation in respect of Inter-country Adoption 1993, the ACT Human Rights Act 2004, the Children and Young People Act 2008 and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, have resulted in a need to review sections of the ACT Adoption Act to ensure contemporary adoption relevance and accountability requirements.


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