Page 1343 - Week 04 - Thursday, 4 April 2019

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attack in Christchurch mentioned in Ms Orr’s motion had a profound impact not just on New Zealand but also here in Australia. Indeed, Muslims right around the world rightly feel very concerned and very much under pressure and under threat as a result of what happened a few weeks ago. The demonstration of unity in this chamber a few weeks ago was a wonderful display of the compassion felt collectively by the Legislative Assembly. Importantly, I believe we are representative of the vast majority of Canberrans who want to see this sort of attack widely condemned so that it will never happen again.

We in this place enjoy privilege and we enjoy freedom of speech. We should do everything we can to protect that. But with that right comes a tremendous responsibility and we should ensure that what we are doing in this place is respectful and that we are honouring our community in what we say. We welcome this motion. We hope tangible and meaningful outcomes will come as a result of the Standing Committee on Administration and Procedure’s review. I reiterate that the Canberra Liberals, and indeed all members of the Assembly, stand shoulder to shoulder with New Zealand, Australia and particularly the Muslim community in condemning the attacks in Christchurch.

Amendment agreed to.

Original question, as amended, resolved in the affirmative.

Education, Employment and Youth Affairs—Standing Committee

Proposed reference

MS BERRY (Ginninderra—Deputy Chief Minister, Minister for Education and Early Childhood Development, Minister for Housing and Suburban Development, Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, Minister for Sport and Recreation and Minister for Women) (11.05): I move:

That:

(1) the management and minimisation of bullying and violence in government and non-government schools be referred to the Standing Committee on Education, Employment and Youth Affairs for inquiry and report;

(2) in conducting its inquiry the Committee have regard to:

(a) the societal context of bullying and violence as a whole-community issue;

(b) the Government’s existing work on responding to students with complex needs and challenging behaviours, and management of occupational violence;

(c) the report of the School Education Advisory Committee established by the Minister for Education and Early Childhood Development to look at safe and supportive schools;

(d) the petition about “violence in ACT schools” received by the Assembly on 21 March 2019; and


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