Page 2388 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 16 June 2009
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Canberra over 30 years ago, it would have been fantastic to be able to experience such a program and to have a program such as live in Canberra available to my family and me.
In my experience, when you first come to a new place, it is not always easy to settle in. And to have the opportunity of such functions and such a welcoming environment is one way you can find out what being a Canberran is all about. I think it is really terrific that this government, my government, helps people with that process of settling in. It makes it a bit easier. It also helps people to meet other people that have been here for quite a while but also to share their experiences of being a new Canberran with other new Canberrans.
The program has been running now for more than three years and there are more than 1,000 new residents on the database. I would like to thank the government and the public servants who administer this program and run it so well. It makes such a great difference, because of the way they run it, that these people are made very welcome when they come to the functions. I also understand from them that upcoming events include guided tours of the Royal Australian Mint, the Australian War Memorial and the AIS. I encourage all those Canberrans to take advantage of the other events.
Not all those who attended on Sunday, of course, were familiar with the game of rugby. In fact, many said they had never been to a game before. It is one thing to watch a game but it is also certainly very different to be out there with thousands of fellow Canberrans who cheer on the local team. Unfortunately, the Raiders were not victors in the game against the Sharks who had a narrow win but I know that the Raiders and the Raiders officials, including the CEO, Don Furner, were very pleased to welcome people there on that day and were very glad to be able to host these 200 people.
It is important that these new Canberrans, men and women and their children, enjoyed their day of footy and shared their experience with their fellow new Canberrans and of course thousands of people who have lived here for many years. I do trust that they continue to enjoy the experience of living in Canberra and that they will tell their friends interstate what a wonderful city this is and what a wonderful city it is to establish one’s home and bring up a family.
Privileges—Select Committee
MRS DUNNE (Ginninderra) (6.07): Could I point out to Ms Porter that the game that they play in heaven is rugby, and they played that the night before at Bruce stadium. The game she was talking about was Rugby League.
Ms Porter: There are different kinds of rugby.
MRS DUNNE: The Labor Party has a problem distinguishing between the two games. The Chief Minister did that once at Bruce stadium as well.
Ms Porter: And then there is the real football, with the round ball.
MRS DUNNE: Yes, but that is not the game they play in heaven.
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