Page 997 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 19 March 2013

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Tuesday, 19 March 2013

Absence of Speaker

The Clerk, pursuant to standing order 6, informed the Assembly that the Speaker would be temporarily absent and that in that period the Deputy Speaker, Ms Porter, as Acting Speaker, would perform the duties of the Speaker.

MADAM ACTING SPEAKER (Ms Porter) took the chair at 10 am, made a formal recognition that the Assembly was meeting on the lands of the traditional custodians, and asked members to stand in silence and pray or reflect on their responsibilities to the people of the Australian Capital Territory.

Canberra—centenary

MS GALLAGHER (Molonglo—Chief Minister, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Health and Minister for Higher Education) (10.01), by leave: I move:

That this Assembly:

(1) notes:

(a) that Tuesday, 12 March 2013 marked the 100th anniversary of the naming of Canberra as the national capital of Australia; and

(b) the celebration of our Centenary year in 2013; and

(2) expresses its appreciation for the input of those individuals and organisations who have contributed to the growth, development and governance of our city over the past 100 years.

On 12 March 1913, Lord Denman said:

Remember that the traditions of this city will be the traditions of Australia. Let us hope that they will be the traditions of freedom, of peace, of honour, and of prosperity; that here will be reflected all that is finest and noblest in the national life of the country.

Exactly one week ago today, together with the current Governor-General, her husband, Mr Michael Bryce, the Prime Minister and the Minister for Regional Australia, at the place it all began, we raised a toast to the spirit of Canberra on the 100th anniversary of the city’s naming.

And at that same time, in our workplaces, our schools, and in community groups and shopping centres right across our city, we celebrated the men and women who have played a part in making Canberra the city it is today. We raised a toast to a sustainable and peaceful Canberra—today and for the future.

Canberra is a city with two distinct lives—firstly as the purpose-built capital of the nation and the other our home. Canberra was built to be the place which all


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