Page 4129 - Week 11 - Thursday, 21 September 2017

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In August I also announced the opening of the 2017-18 participation grants round for veterans and seniors. These grants are for projects and programs that help veterans to remain actively engaged in our society. These programs can include sport, the arts, skills development and training, and programs promoting social connectedness, both for veterans and, importantly, for the families of veterans.

I believe that we are a strong society when everyone belongs, when everyone is valued and when everyone participates. The participation of our veterans, their feeling of belonging, and the recognition of their skills, their service and their contribution are critical to an inclusive society. But this is a relatively new portfolio in the territory and this work is merely the beginning. I look forward to doing more work across the three priorities that I outlined earlier, as well as working across jurisdictions to make this an area that the ACT government both leads and is focused on.

There has been much discussion in this place on the importance of inclusion. As minister for veterans, I will always work to ensure that this is a city that has the support and the structures to ensure that our veterans are integral, connected and supported members of this community. The nature of service to one’s country in the Defence Force is unique. It is important also to recognise the unique challenges facing people separating from the Defence Force and to help them overcome these. In doing so, we acknowledge their skills, their experience and the resilience of our veterans, and we ensure their ongoing contribution to our workforce and our community.

Discussion concluded.

Adjournment

Motion (by Mr Gentleman) proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

Dr Karl Alderson PSM

MR BARR (Kurrajong—Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Economic Development and Minister for Tourism and Major Events) (4.26): It is with great sadness that this afternoon I mark the passing of our friend and colleague Dr Karl Alderson PSM, who died on Saturday after a long illness.

Karl was a giant of the ACT public service. I worked with Karl in his role as deputy director-general of the Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate, where he was instrumental in developing and implementing an Australia-first and world-first series of policies and legislative reforms. These included the framework for the world-first legalisation and regulation of ride-sharing services, helping the University of Canberra to establish itself as a world-class institution, and our smart-parking trials.

Karl held other senior ACT public service roles, including as the deputy director-general of the Justice and Community Safety Directorate, where he delivered significant justice reforms, particularly focused on restorative justice, court reforms and legal assistance for vulnerable people.


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