Page 3434 - Week 11 - Wednesday, 23 September 2015

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back and read some of the transcript. It is interesting what other people said. I will leave members to go and read it. The then Chief Minister made the point when she said—let me just call it up:

In 1972 Gough Whitlam entered into the first relationship with China and it is interesting to read the joint communique that was signed. I think that it is important to quote just a little bit of it. It reads:

The two governments agree to develop diplomatic relations, friendship and cooperation between the two countries on the basis of the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference into each other’s internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence.

There have been many people on both sides of the political spectrum in Australia over a long period who have said that we need to acknowledge the importance of China. What we do today in this place is validate the hard work that was put in back in 2000. We celebrate the success of 15 years of working together as two cities with a lot in common and a shared future and we look forward to sharing the benefits that the future will bring both the cities.

Question put:

That the amendment be agreed to.

The Assembly voted—

Ayes 7

Noes 8

Mr Barr

Mr Corbell

Mr Coe

Ms Lawder

Ms Berry

Ms Fitzharris

Mr Doszpot

Mr Rattenbury

Dr Bourke

Mr Gentleman

Mrs Dunne

Mr Smyth

Ms Burch

Mr Hanson

Mr Wall

Question so resolved in the negative.

MR BARR (Molonglo—Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Urban Renewal and Minister for Tourism and Events) (4.16), by leave: I move a further amendment:

Omit paragraph (3)(c).

I have circulated that amendment. In speaking to the amendment, I am disappointed that the Assembly has not supported my previous amendment. But in the interests, I would hope, of getting a unanimous resolution in relation to a range of very important matters before us today around the sister city relationship, it is best, as there is not the maturity in this place it would seem to be able to send a message to our federal colleagues, that we remove clause 3(c ) from Mr Smyth’s motion. I believe there is unanimous agreement for all other elements of Mr Smyth’s motion today, and it would be preferable for the Assembly to reach a unanimous conclusion in relation to

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