Page 1521 - Week 04 - Thursday, 7 April 2011
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Alan’s commitment to Canberra included local politics as well. He was a member for two terms of the ACT Advisory Council. In this capacity, Alan was able to help many members of the Canberra community in ways that were never publicised. In Dominic’s words, Alan became part of the fabric of Canberra, providing insightful social commentary as it evolved from a large country town into a city.
Although he did not suffer fools gladly, Alan was a kind, compassionate and caring man with a keen interest in the welfare of his fellow man. Although a keen observer and satirist of politicians, he maintained warm relationships with politicians on both sides of the political divide, including Gough Whitlam, Malcolm Fraser, John Howard and Doug Anthony.
Alan had an inquisitive personality and an endearing sense of humour, qualities which manifested themselves in his hugely successful career as journalist and commentator. He was incredibly hardworking and only retired earlier this year due to illness, at the age of 75. Alan loved reading and writing and wrote many books on subjects as diverse as an account of Italian prisoners of war in Australia in the Second World War, Canberra’s history and engineering heritage, and political satire. Alan was currently working on yet another book on the history of the Irish in Australia.
Right up until the end of his life Alan devoured the news media in all its forms and had adapted remarkably well to the digital environment that has so profoundly impacted on the modern media environment. Julian recalled that, although having grown up in the age of wireless, Alan succumbed to the advent of television, the wireless internet and finally Facebook, i-Pads and Google. I might best conclude by noting Dominic’s observation, at the conclusion of his eulogy, that Alan, in the words of the Jesuits, was a man for others.
Question resolved in the affirmative, members standing in their places.
Education and Care Services National Law (ACT) Bill 2011
Ms Burch, pursuant to notice, presented the bill, its explanatory statement and a Human Rights Act compatibility statement.
Title read by Clerk.
MS BURCH (Brindabella—Minister for Disability, Housing and Community Services, Minister for Children and Young People, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Minister for Women) (10.30): I move:
That this bill be agreed to in principle.
It is my pleasure to table the Education and Care Services National Law (ACT) Bill 2011. The bill provides for the introduction in the ACT of the single national regulatory system for childcare, family day care, outside school hours care, as well as for ACT government and independent preschools. It proposes the adoption in the ACT of the education and care services national law as applied law of the territory—
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