Page 3729 - Week 10 - Thursday, 14 September 2017

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Unfortunately, there is still a distinct gap in our education and our general understanding as a community around what has happened to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in this country since 1788. As a result, generations of Australians have not learned about past atrocities and about how those atrocities have led to disadvantage for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in this country were not simply treated like second-class citizens; by many they were not considered to be citizens at all. They were forcibly removed from their lands, and children were forcibly removed from their families. The intergenerational trauma of lost life and lost culture resulting from colonisation is deeply affecting and lies at the heart of contemporary disadvantage. Similarly, generations of Australians have missed out on learning about the rich and vibrant culture that developed here over more than 60,000 years.

The Reconciliation Day public holiday will encourage conversation about reconciliation. It is an opportunity to acknowledge our shared history and engage with the culture of Canberra’s traditional custodians. It seeks to create space for further discussion about the past in order to acknowledge the trauma and understand the effects on people today so that we can move forward together in celebration.

I acknowledge Mr Milligan’s comments regarding the need to ensure that Reconciliation Day is more than just a day off. I could not agree more, and I will be working with the community and my colleagues to ensure that we provide opportunities for Canberrans to engage in meaningful discussion and meaningful celebration of the contribution and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our community. Just as we are coming together in this place to create Reconciliation Day, I hope our community can come together during and in the lead-up to Reconciliation Day 2018 to consider how we can all contribute to true reconciliation in our city.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Bill agreed to in principle.

Leave granted to dispense with the detail stage.

Bill agreed to.

Sitting suspended from 11.45 to 2.30 pm.

Questions without notice

Seniors—rates impact

MR COE: My question is to the Minister for Veterans and Seniors. I refer to a report in the Canberra Times of 5 September that applications for rates deferrals due to hardship have doubled since the ACT government changed the formula for calculating rates on apartments and units. Minister, what have you done to assure yourself that senior Canberrans are not facing hardship as a result of your government’s changes?


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