Page 275 - Week 01 - Thursday, 13 February 2020
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monitoring the progress of the recommendations and look forward to working alongside them as the government finalises its response to the report.
MR MILLIGAN (Yerrabi) (3.26): I want to speak briefly on the final report from the steering committee. First, I want to thank everyone who contributed to and participated in this process. Many of the stories and experiences of families were, no doubt, traumatic to retell and to relive. I want to thank the steering committee for providing interim reports throughout this process and for their genuine efforts to communicate throughout the two years.
This process has taken two years and cost millions of dollars to complete. There are 28 recommendations aimed at addressing systemic issues for Indigenous children in care in the ACT. I sincerely hope that this government moves quickly to address these issues.
Consistently, the ACT has had one of the nation’s highest rates of Indigenous children in state care. This, I feel, is one of the greatest shames. As I have said repeatedly, if we cannot get it right here, then something is very wrong. This tired Labor government has presided over this system for the past 19 years. Sadly, I am not confident that it can address the issue or admit its mistakes. However, I am confident that our Indigenous community and our local Aboriginal community controlled organisations have the knowledge and the desire to address this situation if only they are given the chance to have a voice and a real role in this process.
The Canberra Liberals will be watching for follow-through and action in this critical area of public policy and management. This is yet another demonstration to the Canberra community that we will focus on what matters. We will ensure that the Indigenous community is not presented with more of the same from this lot.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
State of the environment report 2019
MR GENTLEMAN (Brindabella—Minister for Advanced Technology and Space Industries, Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Minister for Planning and Land Management and Minister for Police and Emergency Services) (3.28): Pursuant to standing order 211, I move:
That the Assembly take note of the following paper:
Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment Act, pursuant to section 22—Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment—State of the Environment Report 2019.
MR RATTENBURY (Kurrajong—Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability, Minister for Corrections and Justice Health, Minister for Justice, Consumer Affairs and Road Safety and Minister for Mental Health) (3.29): I am pleased to table the ACT State of the Environment report 2019. The ACT State of the environment report meets its statutory requirement in the Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment Act 1993 to provide the community and government with an assessment
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