The President (The Hon. Amanda Ruth Fazio) took the chair at 11.00 a.m.

The President read the Prayers.

Private Members' Business item Nos 238 and 279 outside the Order of Precedence objected to as being taken as formal business.

Petition opposing the newly proposed secular humanist ethics course in public schools and calling on the Government to support the cancellation of the ethics course and express its support for scripture classes, received from the Hon. Duncan Gay.

Petition calling on the Port Stephens Council, the Department of Planning and the Commonwealth Department of Defence to engage in, along with local communities, comprehensive dialogue and consultation to resolve the noise and related issues associated with basing the new F-35 joint strike fighters at RAAF Williamtown, commencing in 2017, received from the Hon. Greg Donnelly.

Petition calling on the Minister fore Health to intervene immediately to maintain public access to the foreshore trail at Rivendell, near Concord Hospital, received from Ms Sylvia Hale.

The Hon. ROY SMITH [11.08 a.m.]: I move:

That standing and sessional orders be suspended to allow a motion to be moved forthwith that Private Members' Business item No. 7 in the Order of Precedence, relating to the Firearms Legislation Amendment Bill, be called on forthwith.

During debate last night of the Weapons and Firearms Legislation Amendment Bill 2010 I highlighted a number of anomalies that needed to be addressed immediately to ensure the competency of that legislation. The House needs to finalise those issues expeditiously. This bill will address those issues and other anomalies in the firearms legislation.

Question—That the motion be agreed to—put.

The House divided.
Question resolved in the affirmative.

Motion agreed to.

Motion by the Hon. Roy Smith agreed to:

That Private Members' Business item No. 7 in the Order of Precedence be called on forthwith.

Bill introduced, and read a first time and ordered to be printed on motion by the Hon. Roy Smith.

The Hon. ROY SMITH [11.17 a.m.]: I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

The Shooters Party is pleased to introduce the Firearms Legislation Amendment Bill 2010, which proposes a number of amendments to the Firearms Act 1996 and the Firearms Regulation 2006. The proposed amendments to the Act and regulations will streamline and improve the operation of the system for the legal use and registration of firearms for law-abiding citizens within the State. They remove some unnecessary impediments to legitimate sport shooting, hunting and collecting, without any adverse impact on public safety. These amendments are the result of extensive consultation with shooting, hunting and collecting clubs throughout the State. I will briefly go through the more significant amendments proposed in the bill.

The bill will exempt air rifles from the requirement to be registered, while maintaining the requirement for owners of such firearms to hold a category A firearms licence. This will significantly reduce the workload of the Firearms Registry, allowing its resources to be put to much better use on behalf of the community. Maintaining a register of tens of thousands of air rifles does nothing to enhance public safety. An additional amendment will allow minors under 12 years of age to be able to use air rifles on approved shooting ranges under the supervision of a licensed person. Air rifles are a popular way of introducing juniors to this sport. The Shooters Party wishes to support and expand opportunities for juniors to participate in the shooting sports. Air rifles are light and easy to handle, with little noise and recoil. They provide an excellent introduction for youngsters wishing to take up shooting. There is no reason why children under 12 should not be able to use them under supervision on approved shooting ranges.

The Shooters Party also sees no reason why a large calibre pistol permit should not be issued to the holder of a minor's target pistol permit, provided the applicant has held his or her minor's permit for at least 12 months and is a member of an approved pistol club. This would not allow a minor to purchase or take home either the pistol or ammunition but merely to use the firearm under the supervision of a licensed adult at an approved shooting range. Until 2003 some juniors were safely and responsibly using large calibre handguns—under supervision—in competitions. Unfortunately, they can no longer do so.

The Shooters Party recognises the particular sacrifices made by members of the Australian Defence Force. To reduce the inconvenience of continual moves between States and overseas postings, the bill proposes an amendment to ensure that serving members of the armed forces can renew their personal firearms licence even when not residing in New South Wales. Under the current rules those serving overseas cannot renew their licences in New South Wales, commonly causing them to either transfer or sell their firearms. Each time Australian Defence Force personnel are transferred interstate a new State licence is required to be taken out. Clearly, that anomaly needs to be fixed.

We also seek to reduce the disqualification period for the possession of a firearms licence by a person subject to an apprehended violence order from 10 years to 5 years. Currently, the Act prevents the Commissioner of Police from issuing a licence to a person who has been the subject of an apprehended violence order within the previous 10 years. Queensland, the Northern Territory, Victoria and Western Australia have a 5-year disqualification period. The 10-year disqualification period current in New South Wales exceeds the 5-year period set in the National Firearms Agreement.

Another anomaly in the current Act is that a primary producer who holds a category C licence for the purpose of pest control on his or her property cannot use that firearm on a neighbouring property. Unlike the law-abiding farmer, a mob of pigs has no respect for property lines. In order to effectively control a pest problem on a property, the farmer must be able to extend his or her control program to the properties of consenting neighbours. An amendment is proposed to allow a person who holds the licence for primary production to use his or her category C firearm on other rural properties, with the consent of the owner/occupier.

The bill also proposes to allow a person applying for a licence for the purpose of recreational hunting, vermin control or vertebrate pest management control to use permission given by any public or local authority to shoot on that authority's land in support of that genuine reason. This simply extends the current ways in which such a licence can be supported to include public and local authorities, such as local councils, which have a need for persons to control pests on council tips and other council land.

Following the passage of the Government's Weapons and Firearms Legislation Amendment Bill 2010 last night, we find that a further amendment to the Firearms Act is required in order to authorise a category H licence holder to use an antique revolver as, quite properly, a category H licence holder is not authorised to use an unregistered handgun. Most antique revolvers would, of course, be held on a collectors licence, and are never fired. However, some owners of antique firearms use them occasionally, and this provision will enable them to continue to do so legally. Schedule 1 (6) is a consequential amendment to allow category H licence holders to use an antique revolver, other than an antique revolver that is a prohibited pistol.

The bill also removes the ridiculous provision whereby a person applying for a licence has to wait 28 days for the licence and then a further 28 days for a permit to acquire. Our amendment simply allows for the 28-day waiting periods to run concurrently. In 2008 I introduced an amendment to provide that the 28-day waiting period for a permit to apply did not apply when the applicant already had a firearm of that category registered in his or her name. The strict interpretation of that amendment has led to situations in which a person who owned such a firearm but recently sold and transferred its registration and then the next day applied for a permit to acquire another firearm of that category was required to wait 28 days for the permit because he or she no longer had a firearm of that category registered in his or her name. Accordingly, we seek to correct this anomaly through an amendment to provide that the 28-day waiting period for a permit to acquire a firearm of a particular category does not apply if the applicant had a firearm of that category registered in their name during the previous five years.

There is also a need to amend some other associated legislation, which unreasonably impacts on law-abiding firearm owners. The Crimes Act should be amended so that the act of possessing an unregistered firearm in a public place does not apply in the case of a firearm that is not required to be registered. This is needed to allow firearms that are not required to be registered—such as air rifles and antique firearms—to be transported legally. The National Parks and Wildlife Regulation 2009 also needs amending to allow a person to convey an unloaded firearm and ammunition through a national park in a vehicle on a road, so long as the person is authorised to posses that firearm or ammunition. In some areas the only means of access to or from privately owned land is via a road through a national park. This amendment does not authorise the use of a firearm in a national park.

All the proposed amendments have been carefully drafted to ensure that they do not compromise the principles and objects of the Firearms Act 1996 or negatively impact on public safety. They remove anomalies and inequities—

Ms Lee Rhiannon: Point of order: Madam President, I draw your attention to how members are required to conduct themselves in this House and the extreme insensitivity of this debate. Overnight 12 people were massacred in England and 25 people were injured, and we are talking about weakening gun control laws.

The PRESIDENT: Order! There is no a point of order. Ms Rhiannon will resume her seat.

Ms Lee Rhiannon: It is a very sensitive time.

The PRESIDENT: Order! I place Ms Rhiannon on a call to order for the first time. Members know that they should not make debating points under the guise of a point of order. The Hon. Roy Smith may continue.

The Hon. ROY SMITH: The amendments remove anomalies and inequities that unreasonably impact on legitimate firearm owners. I commend the bill to the House.

Debate adjourned on motion by the Hon. Rick Colless and set down as an order of the day for a future day.

The Hon. Helen Westwood, as Chair, tabled report No. 7/54, entitled "Operation of the Health Care Complaints Act 1993: Final Report", dated June 2010.

Ordered to be printed on motion by the Hon. Helen Westwood.

The Hon. HELEN WESTWOOD [11.26 a.m.]: I move:

That the House take note of the report.

Debate adjourned on motion by the Hon. Helen Westwood and set down as an order of the day for a future day.

Motion by the Hon. Robert Brown agreed to:

That standing and sessional orders be suspended to allow a motion to be moved forthwith that Private Members' Business item No. 282 outside the Order of Precedence, relating to the Marine Parks Amendment (Moratorium) Bill 2010, be called on forthwith.

Motion by the Hon. Robert Brown agreed to:

That Private Members' Business item No. 282 outside the Order of Precedence be called on forthwith.

Bill introduced, and read a first time and ordered to be printed on motion by the Hon. Robert Brown.

The Hon. ROBERT BROWN [11.28 a.m.]: I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

The Shooters Party is pleased to present the Marine Parks Amendment (Moratorium) Bill 2010. The bill provides for a five-year moratorium on the declaration of additional marine parks and prevents the Government from making a regulation that would extend the area within a marine park that comprises a sanctuary zone during the period five years commencing on the commencement of the proposed Act.

The Government released that review, along with a similar review of the Jervis Bay Marine Park, at its first appearance before the Select Committee on Recreational Fishing. The Government's submission also contained the 2009 document entitled "Marine Park Science in NSW: An Independent Review". When the two documents are considered together, it is clear that the former—that is, the zoning plan review—should have been informed by, and indeed been carried out in accordance with, the recommendations in the latter. In all the 11 recommendations in the independent review deemed to be of primary importance, the scientific panel urges immediate changes to the research scope, methodologies and priority of the Marine Parks Authority research program and plan. Amongst the recommendations noted as being of secondary importance, recommendation 7 states:

Test the key assumptions involved in using ecosystem and habitat features as a surrogate for biodiversity per se as a priority over the next five years.

Yet a reading of the Solitary Islands Marine Park—Zoning Plan Review clearly shows that the Marine Parks Authority's recommendations to the Government to expand a sanctuary zone to include some intermediate reef areas is based purely on the fact that the reef is there. That is completely at odds with the clear recommendation made by the Government's own scientific panel. Clearly what is needed is breathing space for the Marine Parks Authority and the Department of Fisheries to carry out the research priorities recommended by the Government's own independent scientific panel. The public exposure period for analysis of the Solitary Islands and Jervis Bay marine parks zoning plan reviews concludes this month. That is, firstly, why I have brought on the bill now.

Secondly, we are in the middle of taking evidence for the upper House Select Committee on Recreational Fishing, the terms of reference of which include an examination of the efficacy and efficiency of marine parks. The committee will not report until late November and the Government will then need to consider any recommendations that flow from it. That will probably push any real determination of policy into the next Parliament. That is another reason I have brought on this bill now. Thirdly, there is enormous division in the community about marine parks and their value. We have heard in this Parliament of two petitions with more than 20,000 signatures opposing the creation of more marine parks.

Mr Ian Cohen: Did you collect them?

The Hon. ROBERT BROWN: No, I did not.

Mr Ian Cohen: Who collected them?

The Hon. ROBERT BROWN: I think the Hon. Duncan Gay collected 4,000 or 5,000 and the Warringah Anglers Fishing Club collected 16,000. For these reasons this bill needs to be supported by both the Government and the Opposition.

Mr Ian Cohen: What about your role as chair of the committee?

The Hon. ROBERT BROWN: That is exactly why I am introducing this bill. If the Hon. Ian Cohen were to listen to the debate he would understand that that is exactly why I am doing it. This bill will allow the incumbent Government and an incoming government to undertake the necessary work to assess existing marine parks in accordance with the recommendations of the Government's own scientific panel. The bill will also allow for the completion of the select committee inquiry into recreational fishing and time for the Government to assess any recommendations that flow from that inquiry. One of the recurring themes in the scientific literature and in government reports is the amount of time required for any measures designed to protect marine diversity to become evident. This bill will allow time—that is, five years—not only for the recommended research to be undertaken but also for changes in the marine environment across a range of protection methodologies to become evident. I commend the bill to the House.

Debate adjourned on motion by the Hon. Rick Colless and set down as an order of the day for a future day.

Motion by the Hon. Penny Sharpe agreed to:

That standing and sessional orders be suspended to allow a motion to be moved forthwith that Private Members' Business item No. 253 outside the Order of Precedence, relating to National Reconciliation Week, be called on forthwith.

Motion by the Hon. Penny Sharpe agreed to:

That Private Members' Business item No. 253 outside the Order of Precedence be called on forthwith.

The Hon. PENNY SHARPE (Parliamentary Secretary) [11.35 a.m.]: I move:

That this House:

(a) acknowledges National Reconciliation Week to be held from 27 May until 3 June with the theme "Reconciliation: Let's see it through";

(b) notes the work of Reconciliation Australia in building relationships for change between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians; and

(c) notes the focus of National Reconciliation Week in providing a national stage for reconciliation activities.

We have a timely theme for National Reconciliation Week. As a nation we need to move forward with renewed vigour. Much has been achieved by Reconciliation Australia, the independent, not-for-profit organisation that was established in 2000 by the former Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation. We must acknowledge that Reconciliation Australia is the peak national organisation building and promoting reconciliation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians for the wellbeing not only of indigenous Australians but also of us all. It is time to recognise the need for continued effort towards reconciliation and to see it through with tangible actions that make a difference in Aboriginal communities. This desire to see it through is very much at the centre of the New South Wales Government's efforts to work with Aboriginal communities to improve the wellbeing of Aboriginal people.

The New South Wales Parliament was the first in Australia to apologise to members of the Stolen Generations. Although this is the case, we still need to acknowledge the impetus that the Prime Minister's apology gave to the movement for reconciliation that was set in motion by the actions of this Government and others. Since the Prime Minister's apology to the Stolen Generations, we have seen a renewed commitment by the Council of Australian Governments to close the gap in living conditions between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. The Council of Australian Governments has set challenging targets: closing the 17-year life expectancy gap within a generation; halving the mortality gap for children under five within a decade; halving the gap in reading, writing and numeracy within a decade; halving the gap in unemployment outcomes within a decade; ensuring that all four-year-olds in remote communities have access to early childhood education within five years; and halving the gap in year 12 or equivalent attainment rates within a decade.

By apologising to the Aboriginal people of this State, the New South Wales Government was the first in Australia to formally acknowledge the need for a focus on reconciliation. The New South Wales Government operates on the premise that the best results are gained in Aboriginal Affairs policy when the views of Aboriginal people drive government policy and service delivery. Successful projects come from the Government and Aboriginal people working in partnership and allowing communities to identify, develop and implement strategies and projects within their own communities to have efficacy in the solutions. These partnerships continue to be supported by community capacity building in New South Wales. I am talking about our support for healthy communities: the kinds of communities that both Aboriginal Elders and young people want to see. These are the communities that provide not only a place of healing for members of the Stolen Generations but also a secure future for all Aboriginal people. This is important because we are talking about healthy communities where kids are safe and where people can get a job, and the security that comes from earning a regular income.

Working in partnership with these leaders of Aboriginal communities, we continue to build communities where people can celebrate the joys and richness of living in Australia, where people have a home and where they can contribute to the lives of their friends and family. These are elements of a life that all of us in this place take for granted. I am talking about strong, resilient culture and identity, where we can recognise the role of family and kin in raising strong individuals and communities. These are elements that must exist for Aboriginal people. That is why the Government is so focused on helping Aboriginal communities to build community strength. There is real strength in Aboriginal communities, despite the many hardships that some of them face. We will continue to build on this strength to develop the partnerships required to realise the same level of surety and wellbeing that many of us take for granted. It is not enough to recognise the work that has been done.

We also have the responsibility to work with communities to realise their real potential. The Government is committed to that notion and it is strongly reflected in our State Plan. The notion of community wellbeing provides the foundation for the Aboriginal Affairs priorities of the State Plan because strong communities can work more effectively with government. It is vital that local Aboriginal communities lead government planning and decision-making if we are to make real inroads into Aboriginal disadvantage. We know that Aboriginal communities know best what Aboriginal communities need. We are building a future based on delivering on the rights and aspirations of Aboriginal people. This is a future that Aboriginal people tell us they want, and we know is deserved. We can move forward in partnership only with the understanding that we will achieve the best results when our policies and service delivery are properly informed.

In speaking to this motion I acknowledge the work done by grassroots reconciliation organisations across New South Wales. These reconciliation groups work to actively inform, educate and share ideas of an Australia where there is true justice for our first people. Across New South Wales there have been many events to promote reconciliation in local communities. These events have brought together indigenous and non-indigenous people. My daughter's school is having its reconciliation assembly today, as we speak. Unfortunately, I will miss it. I acknowledge the work of some of the organisations that I know members in this place have worked with.

There is a group of parliamentarians for reconciliation, and we have been fortunate to have many of the reconciliation organisations come and speak to us on a range of different issues. I particularly acknowledge the Friends of Myall Creek. Reconciliation is a fantastic group of young people, both indigenous and non-indigenous, who are working in their own communities to promote reconciliation, and of course there is the work of Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation, or ANTAR. Around kitchen tables, in community halls and in local schools these groups have run many different events that allow all Australians to reflect on the place of our indigenous people and to right the wrongs of the past. National Reconciliation Week continues to be a very important event on the calendar and an important time for us all to consider what we can do to advance reconciliation in this nation.

The Hon. ROBYN PARKER [11.40 a.m.]: I support the motion. National Reconciliation Week runs from 27 May to 3 June. I acknowledge the importance of National Reconciliation Week, knowing that we can look forward to a time when we will not need a National Reconciliation Week and when we will no longer speak about closing the gap of Aboriginal disadvantage. On that day there will be a great celebration—we should get back on the bridge and celebrate the fact that there is no need for National Reconciliation Week.

National Reconciliation Week is often misunderstood, so it is important that we appreciate the reasons for it. It is about acknowledging Australia's first Australians. It is about celebrating as well as talking about disadvantage and gaps and the other issues we have to confront. It is about celebrating the rich culture and history of the first Australians. It is about talking about those things that are good as well as those things we need to work on. It is about reconciliation and having a conversation about the most fantastic things that the rich Aboriginal culture has brought to us all. That is why it was fantastic when the Hon. Penny Sharpe mentioned the celebration at her daughter's school. It is great to see the next generation embracing reconciliation in a way that past generations have not. Hopefully Aboriginal culture will have even more of a renaissance as time goes on. That is what we are aiming for. National Reconciliation Week is also about discussing how we can help to turn around the disadvantage experienced by many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

National Reconciliation Week started in 1993 when faith communities in Australia started a week of prayer for reconciliation. That week was so successful that it was expanded in 1996 to become National Reconciliation Week to provide a nationwide focus for all reconciliation activities. Since 1996 that focus has been expanded but originally it was about discussing the achievements so far and focusing on what needed to be done to achieve reconciliation completely. National Reconciliation Week also coincides with two significant dates in Australia's history that are strong symbols of the aspirations for reconciliation. Those key anniversaries are important for us to acknowledge and to remember always.

First, 27 May is the anniversary of the 1967 referendum when more than 90 per cent of Australians voted to remove clauses from the Australian Constitution that discriminated against indigenous Australians. The referendum also gave the Commonwealth Government the power to make laws on behalf of Aboriginal people. Indeed, in this place this week we are still making laws to right the wrongs of the past and also to acknowledge the place of Aboriginal people and Aboriginal heritage. Second, 3 June marks the anniversary of the High Court judgement in the 1992 Mabo case. That decision recognised the native title rights of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the original inhabitants of the continent and overturned the myth of terra nullius, which was the belief that the continent was an empty and unknown land before the arrival of the Europeans in 1788.

The theme of National Reconciliation Week 2010 is, "Reconciliation: let's see it through." That is timely when one considers that it is 10 years—believe it or not—since the historic bridge walks. The future of reconciliation is looking bright in several respects, but there is a long way to go. It is important that we take the good intentions of respect and trust and deliver good outcomes. As the Hon. Penny Sharpe said, we have to deliver outcomes; we have to make sure that intentions, words and statements are translated into good, sound policies that have a tangible effect on the ground in Aboriginal communities across New South Wales.

This year, as always, we are asking all Australians to embrace the future, and to aspire and achieve great things together. Achievement within Aboriginal communities, as in any other community, is about high expectations. We must always have high expectations. In those schools where there is a predominance of Aboriginal children with high expectations, some of the results are outstanding. When I think about high expectations I think of the work of Professor Chris Sarra. He talks about that a lot. We need high expectations for National Reconciliation Week. We expect outcomes and we expect people to embrace the notion of reconciliation, and we have high expectations that one day we will not need National Reconciliation Day.

Significantly, National Reconciliation Week this year sees the launch of an interesting awareness campaign that asks Australians to recommit to reconciliation. The slogan is, "Help finish Oz." Some members may be aware of the advertising campaign, which features some well-known faces, and the social networking site called Unfinished Oz that is part of the campaign. People can register their support and put themselves on the map of Australia as a pixel of light. Of course, the campaign coincides with the bridge walk—do not forget the bridge walk! Ten years ago more than 300,000 people walked across the Sydney Harbour Bridge in support of indigenous Australians and reconciliation. This was followed by walks in all other capital cities, towns and regional centres involving almost a million people. Many members of this place joined those walks.

Ten years later we must acknowledge what more there is to do. We talk about closing the gaps in terms of health issues, disadvantage and education. Some of the figures are quite disturbing. We need to make sure that big statements deliver on the ground. It is disappointing to note that longstanding indigenous health issues, such as premature births and low birth weights, are still on the increase. A study by accessUTS Pty Ltd for the Royal Hospital for Women in New South Wales stated:

The proportion of premature births for Indigenous women had increased from 7 per cent in 1995-2000 to 18 per cent in 2005-07: the proportion of babies being of low birth weight had increased from 7 per cent in 1995-2000 to 14 per cent in 2005-07 and the perinatal mortality rate had increased from 14 per 1000 births to 66 per 1000 live births.

Those are disturbing figures, as they reveal an alarming backward trend. It demonstrates a failure to close the gap in relation to indigenous health, and it is not good enough. I accept that some improvements have been made. The study revealed that in 2005-07, 36 per cent of indigenous women smoked during the second half of their pregnancy compared with only 5 per cent of non-indigenous women. Those statistics are not good enough and we must do better. The study found it was not clear whether there was a management or leadership role for Aboriginal health within the area health services. The study further stated:

It was our observation that the Aboriginal health was only involved at a higher level attending Reference Group meetings and with revising and negotiating the memorandum of Understanding ….

Labor's huge area health services are failing our indigenous communities—yet another failure of the State Labor Government that must be quickly addressed. This is about poor management, poor advocacy and a failure to deliver for indigenous communities, which deserve better. These shocking statistics must be reversed. Hopefully when the member representing the Liberal-Nationals speaks about National Reconciliation Week next year—and it will not be me—the trend will have been reversed and the situation improved, because the statistics are shocking. I turn now to the State Plan 2010 and its annual performance report, which states:

There remains a large disadvantage gap between Aboriginal people and the total New South Wales population.

That is no surprise to anyone. The report reveals that cases of domestic violence involving indigenous female victims aged 0 to 17 spiked markedly upwards from 252.7 in 2008 to 306.4 in 2009 per 100,000 of the indigenous population, which is three times the rate for all New South Wales children. State Labor set an unemployment target for the State's indigenous population at under 15 per cent, yet it rose to 20 per cent in 2007 from 15.6 per cent in 2005. The infant mortality rate rose from 7.5 per 1,000 live births registered between 2004 and 2006 to 8.9 per 1,000 live births registered between 2005 and 2007. The report states:

There is a gap in performance of Year 3 to Year 9 school students with Aboriginal students performing 5-20 per cent below non-Aboriginal students in literacy and numeracy.

Much more work is required to improve indigenous education and health. It is not only members of the Coalition who are saying this; the Government's own State Plan revealed that much more work is needed. Other people have also spoken out. An article in the Koori Mail in February 2010 reported on the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council's distrust of the Rudd Government because of its failure to implement evidence-based policies. The chairman of the council, Bev Manton, stated:

Minister Macklin appeared to have replaced her promise to implement evidence-based policies with media spin … efforts to forge partnerships have been piecemeal.

Instead of community engagement, the top-down approach is often taken. There is growing concern and frustration amongst the New South Wales indigenous community about the role of the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and its Two Ways Together program. I have often heard people say that it is not Two Ways Together, but two ways apart. Fundamental reform to improve housing administration and management, child protection, educational engagement, health outcomes and mainstream engagement has been too slow and often misguided. Much more work is required. It is one thing to make the symbolic gesture of saying sorry; we must continue to work hard for our indigenous communities.

In speaking about National Reconciliation Week, I support the statements of the Hon. Penny Sharpe about various groups that work tirelessly with Aboriginal people. They work in all sorts of environments for the betterment of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. I congratulate them on their sterling efforts. The Friends of Myall Creek, Reconciliaction, Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation and others go out of their way to educate people positively about reconciliation. They have come to Parliament and talked to schools about reconciliation. A number of fantastic events promoting reconciliation have been held in Parliament, which has given parliamentarians an opportunity to engage with the issue. We have worked in the community with Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation and Reconciliaction to ensure that there is more education about the meaning of reconciliation and its objectives.

I urge members to log on to the website www.unfinished.oz.com.au, join others in National Reconciliation Week 2010, and make their voice heard. It is now 10 years since that great walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge but we still have a long way to go in closing the gap of Aboriginal disadvantage. We all have high hopes. We have in the public gallery young leaders from school communities across New South Wales; they carry our hopes for future reconciliation. We know that as they sit in this Chamber they hold in their hearts examples of reconciliation. We have a long way to go. We look forward to the day when there is no need for National Reconciliation Week, when we in this place are not talking about closing the gap and about disadvantage. I support the motion.

Mr IAN COHEN [11.59 a.m.]: In the short time available to me before question time, on behalf of the Greens I speak in support of the motion moved by the Hon. Penny Sharpe regarding National Reconciliation Week, which this year is held from 27 May to 3 June. As it will be for the Hon. Robyn Parker, similarly this will be the last time I will speak in this House on a motion regarding National Reconciliation Week, and it is certainly an honour for me to do so.

As we do at the commencement of the sittings of the Parliament, we recognise the land of the Gadigal people of the Eora nation as part of the commencement of the House's proceedings. It constantly strikes me that we continue to pay lip-service, and I think respect in that way, to the original people of this land, yet the environment in this place has changed so much. I believe this is somewhat symbolic of many situations throughout New South Wales, where we attempt to maintain the traditional values of the indigenous people yet at the same time recognise that we are living in a very changed environment indeed.

Pursuant to sessional orders business interrupted at 12 noon for questions.

The Hon. MICHAEL GALLACHER: My question without notice is directed to the Minister for State and Regional Development. If the Minister was entirely unaware of the upgrade to his flight to Dubai, why did he and his staff book economy class fares given the fact that he and his senior public servants were entitled to business class airfares as the Minister outlined he was travelling for purposes related to his duties as a Minister?

The Hon. IAN MACDONALD: The answer is pretty simple. The trip was a private one when it was first booked and paid for in November 2007. Subsequent to that it was suggested, both by my department and by industry, that some meetings could be conducted in Dubai. I received authorisation from the Premier to attend those meetings but no authorisation to claim travel. The staff the Leader of the Opposition has referred to—one staffer and the Chief Veterinary Officer of New South Wales—received approval for return travel to Dubai. They travelled business class and their accommodation costs in Dubai were met.

The Hon. CHRISTINE ROBERTSON: My question is addressed to the Attorney General. Will the Attorney General update the House on upcoming reforms to jury duty in New South Wales?

The Hon. JOHN HATZISTERGOS: I thank the Hon. Christine Robertson for her question on this important issue. Trial by jury lies at the centre of the criminal procedure of the common law world, dating back to the Magna Carta. Jury trials ensure fairness to individual defendants and the community as a whole by making sure that the legal process is tempered with the judgement and compassion of the general public. Jury trials resist the potential for the court to be treated as a venue for technical debating points, because juries ground the trial process in the reasonableness, the decency, and the thoughtfulness of the citizens of New South Wales. That is why I am pleased to announce that the New South Wales Government will today introduce legislation to amend the Jury Act to broaden the jury pool and make serving on a jury easier for working people.

These reforms are the second round of amendments implementing the recommendations of the New South Wales Law Reform Commission in its 2007 report entitled "Jury Selection". As the Jury Act currently stands, a vast number of otherwise capable people are automatically ineligible for jury service because of their occupation as a lawyer or their position in a law enforcement agency. The Government will change this by reducing the number of categories of automatic exemption, delivering a more diverse pool of potential jurors that better reflects the make-up of the community.

The rationale for exemptions from jury service is that certain members of society should not be called away from their crucial day-to-day roles for the period of a trial. In keeping with that rationale, exemptions will remain for police officers, medical staff, emergency services workers, and lawyers in the public criminal justice system. But the days of broad definitions and general exemptions are gone. The Government is aware that people sometimes have differing views about taking time off work for jury service. With regard to income security, the Government has increased the daily allowance for trials that run for more than 10 days from $100 to $225 for jurors who are employed. And to further protect employees, the Government will stamp out unfair treatment of workers who serve on a jury. Employers will be prevented from forcing their staff to take leave or work outside hours to accommodate jury service. In addition, corporations who sack or unfairly discriminate against employees in relation to jury service could be fined up to $22,000, while individual employers face fines of up to $5,500.

Given the reach of these reforms, the Government has undertaken extensive consultation across a range of affected industries and organisations, including key medical bodies such as the Australian Medical Association, emergency services stakeholders such as the New South Wales Rural Fire Service, religious groups including the Anglican Diocese of Sydney and the New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies, and others including the New South Wales Law Society, New South Wales Bar Association and Carers New South Wales. I thank all these stakeholders for their assistance and acknowledge their contribution to the laws the Government will introduce today.

After question time today I will seek leave to table a Government response to the Law Reform Commission's Report No. 114 regarding blind or deaf jurors. The response supports a number of the recommendations. However, we do not support the Law Reform Commission recommendation that jurors who need assistance from a stenographer or interpreter in the jury room be allowed such assistance. I will ask the Sheriff to make every endeavour to assist blind and deaf people to serve, but ultimately the jury exists to assist the administration of justice and protect the rights of the accused. We are committed to the integrity of jury trials across New South Wales, and with these legislative changes the Government will continue to build on that commitment.

The Hon. DUNCAN GAY: My question without notice is directed to the Treasurer. Is the Treasurer aware that a New South Wales Treasury spokesman was quoted in the Australian Financial Review of 24 May as saying that the tender process for the operation of the Cobbora coalmine was "well advanced"? Will the development of the Cobbora coal resource result in higher coal costs for New South Wales electricity generators? Has the Treasurer received any advice on the impact of higher coal costs on retail electricity prices, or on whether higher coal costs will have an impact on possible proceeds from the Gentrader sale?

The Hon. ERIC ROOZENDAAL: The tender process in relation to Cobbora is well progressed. It is an important part of the energy reform strategy for the people of New South Wales. The energy reform strategy is to ensure that we have future generation capacity for the State, and to ensure that the cost of future generation is borne by the private sector, to the benefit of the people of New South Wales.

Dr JOHN KAYE: My question is directed to the Treasurer. Does Treasury have any studies that compare the value of the Government's most recent model of electricity transactions with the value of retention of control over the generator output and electricity retailers in public ownership? Do any of these studies refer to the current model of generator traders, without the co-insurance scheme that was rejected by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission? Will the Treasurer release these studies to the public, to address rumours that Treasury officials believe that the value of retention is now greater?

The Hon. ERIC ROOZENDAAL: I thank the member for his question. I feel he is a little conflicted here. It is well known in the gallery, and more generally, that he has made a number of bets that energy reform will fail—

Dr John Kaye: Point of order: The Treasurer, apart from seeking—

The Hon. ERIC ROOZENDAAL: Are you denying it?

Dr John Kaye: No.

The Hon. ERIC ROOZENDAAL: There you go. He has admitted it!

The PRESIDENT: Order! The Chair cannot hear what the member is saying because of the level of interjections. Dr John Kaye will continue.

Dr John Kaye: Quite apart from the infantile behaviour of the Treasurer, the issue here is one of debating the question. The Treasurer is clearly debating the question rather than answering it. The Treasurer may not wish to answer the question but he is using tactics to avoid answering the question.

The PRESIDENT: Order! The Treasurer will continue to answer the question without debating it.

The Hon. ERIC ROOZENDAAL: I can understand that the member's financial interest in sabotaging the energy reform strategy may be something that he is embarrassed about. However, I will go on to say—

Dr John Kaye: Point of order: That statement is clearly out of order. The Treasurer is making imputations against me that are not relevant to the question.

The Hon. ERIC ROOZENDAAL: He dishes it out but he cannot take it.

The PRESIDENT: Order! The Minister will continue to be generally relevant.

The Hon. ERIC ROOZENDAAL: I am more than happy to deal with the issue of energy reform because last week the New South Wales Government announced another significant step in delivering its energy reform strategy. Data rooms for the retail distribution businesses and Gentrader contracts will open on 1 July, marking the next important phase in ensuring the State's future electricity supplies. The Government has a comprehensive plan to redesign our electricity market. It is a plan that keeps vital assets in public hands and at the same time attracts new entrants who will bring additional resources and competition to the market. The Government, and its financial advisers, are confident of strong bidder interest in the trade sale but reserve the option of a share market float as a means of secured increased competition and the best outcome for consumers and taxpayers.

Dr JOHN KAYE: I ask a supplementary question. Could the Treasurer elucidate his answer by explaining that his failure to answer my first question was because no such study exists?

The Hon. Greg Donnelly: Point of order: That is not a supplementary question. It is the same question phrased in a slightly different way.

Dr JOHN KAYE: To the point of order: I was clearly seeking the Treasurer to elucidate his answer in order to give the House more information as to why he answered the question the way he did. He did not answer the question I put to him; he obfuscated. So I have asked for an elucidation of his original answer.

The PRESIDENT: Order! I uphold the point of order. The question was not a supplementary question as required by the standing orders.

The Hon. HELEN WESTWOOD: I address my question to the Minister for Youth. Will the Minister update the House on the current status of the role of the Commissioner for Children and Young People?

The Hon. PETER PRIMROSE: I thank the honourable member for her question. The New South Wales Commission for Children and Young People is an independent organisation that works to make New South Wales a better place for children and young people. Established by the Commission for Children and Young People Act of 1998, the commission reports directly to the New South Wales Parliament. Guided by principles embodied in the 1989 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the commission's work is based on a number of beliefs: That the safety and welfare of our children is paramount; that the views of our children and young people are to be taken seriously; that healthy relationships between children, their families and their communities are vitally important in ensuring safety and wellbeing; and that vulnerable children and young people should be given priority.

As all honourable members would be aware, the commission has been in the capable hands of Acting Commissioner Jan McClelland since mid-November 2009. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ms McClelland for her dedication to that role during the course of the past six months. Today, however, I am very pleased to inform the House that after a careful selection process, Ms Megan Mitchell has been appointed as the New South Wales Commissioner for Children and Young People. With a long history of advocacy for children and young people, Ms Mitchell has extensive experience in both Commonwealth and State governments in children and youth services.

Ms Mitchell is currently the Executive Director of the Australian Capital Territory Office for Children, Youth and Family Support, focusing on child protection, foster and kinship care, juvenile justice, children's services, child care, and early intervention and prevention services. Prior to this, Ms Mitchell was Executive Director of Out of Home Care in the New South Wales Department of Community Services. Her responsibilities included building and implementing policy and service reforms in the child protection and substitute care system. Ms Mitchell has also held the positions of Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Council of Social Service and Director of Strategic Policy and Planning in the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care. With formal qualifications in social policy, psychology and education, Ms Mitchell has also worked as a schoolteacher.

I know honourable members will join me in congratulating Ms Mitchell on her appointment as commissioner, and in welcoming her to the commission. She will commence her new role on 21 June this year and I look forward to working closely with her as she settles into the team at the Commission for Children and Young People. Unquestionably, Ms Mitchell will play an important role in the current review of the Commission for Children and Young People legislation. We want to ensure that any changes to the Act, including changes to the current working with children check, will not only ensure the best protection for children but it will also be rigorous and effective for everyone working with children, whether as an employee, volunteer or self-employed.

The statutory legislative review of the Commission for Children and Young People Act 1998 was due to commence in December 2010. However, the review was brought forward, as I announced in March, so that we can have a careful look at all the options. The review will also provide an opportunity to look closely at the commission's principal functions—functions such as policy, research and promoting the participation of children and young people in decision-making and to ensure that these remain valid and relevant today. The review is being overseen by the Director General of Communities NSW and is being undertaken by an expert consultant, supported by officers from Communities NSW , but clearly Ms Mitchell will play an important role, particularly in the implementation of any recommendations that might come from the review. I look forward to working with the new commissioner at this important time for the commission.

Reverend the Hon. Dr GORDON MOYES: I direct my question to the Hon. Eric Roozendaal, representing the Hon. Linda Burney, Minister for Community Services. Is the Minister aware of the recent Edith Cowan University study that reported that male victims of domestic violence suffer from a form of previously unidentified legal and administrative abuse, as well as most of the same impacts as female victims? Is the Minister aware that psychological distress, depression, anxiety, thoughts of suicide, impaired self-concept and loss of work are suffered by the one in three victims of domestic violence who are male? Will the Minister indicate what services will be provided for men such as are provided for women, including support services, counselling, accommodation services, help and crisis lines, community education and prevention programs?

The Hon. ERIC ROOZENDAAL: I thank the member for his question, which I will pass on to the Minister for response.

The Hon. GREG PEARCE: I direct my question without notice to the Treasurer. I refer the Treasurer to the April 2010 general government financial results where, in the cash flow statement, a net amount of $4.56 billion—after allowing for asset sales—has been spent year-to-date on non-financial assets. Given that the April results also disclosed that New South Wales has received about $5 billion from the Commonwealth so far this year to specifically purchase non-financial assets in the general government sector, and that $2.273 billion is also available from depreciation and amortisation for that purpose, will the Treasurer explain to the House the purposes for which the Government raised $1.939 billion net new borrowing as at 30 April 2010, and how much of the borrowing has been used to fund recurrent expenditure in 2009-10, or to pay down the under funded superannuation liability?

The Hon. ERIC ROOZENDAAL: The Hon. Greg Pearce is a little premature. He well knows that all of these issues will be dealt with in the budget papers, which incidentally will be available next Tuesday for all to read. When I deliver the next budget I will answer all his questions, and more.

The Hon. Duncan Gay: Are we going to get all the budget papers or will there be two sets again?

The Hon. ERIC ROOZENDAAL: This goes to the issue that I raised yesterday in the House about how the Opposition—

The Hon. Duncan Gay: You guys get a more comprehensive set than we do.

The PRESIDENT: Order! I cannot hear the Minister's answer because of interjections from the Opposition.

The Hon. ERIC ROOZENDAAL: This goes to the heart of the Opposition's conduct. I want to refer to some comments by the shadow Treasurer, who today yet again talked down the New South Wales economy. He called the New South Wales economy "fragile". I can understand why the Opposition wants to heckle and interject. They are embarrassed by the continuing deliberate and misleading comments by the shadow Treasurer. I want to say this to the House and the gallery: This bloke, who wants to be Treasurer and a member of Government in the other place, cares nothing about damaging this State's credibility and reputation. He cares nothing about that at all.

The Hon. Greg Pearce: Point of order: The Treasurer is making a reflection on a member in another place. I also take a point of order on relevance. My question related to the fact that New South Wales received $7 billion-plus for capital expenditure and only spent $4.5 billion.

The PRESIDENT: Order! I heard the member's question. The member will not attempt to debate an issue under the guise of a point of order. I uphold the point of order. A member cannot make imputations against members of the other place unless by way of substantive motion.

The Hon. ERIC ROOZENDAAL: This is evidence—

The Hon. Don Harwin: Point of order: I refer to previous Presidents' rulings on the use of props. The Treasurer is now trying to use a prop. He should be told to desist.

The PRESIDENT: Order! The Hon. Don Harwin is correct. Presidents have ruled that members should not use props during debate or question time. I ask the Treasurer not to display any props and to continue his answer.

The Hon. ERIC ROOZENDAAL: Last week, an official press release from the Liberal-Nationals Coalition was issued at a business seminar, which was exposed by me to contain fabricated information, that is, information that was made up. When the author of this briefing document was asked about it on radio his response was, "It's quite appropriate to make these things up. It's the standard procedure." This goes to the heart of the conduct of the Coalition. They will say anything to damage our economy and talk it down. They believe it is appropriate to fabricate information, that is, make it up. In my household making it up is called lying. The shadow Treasurer must stop talking down this State and stop trying to damage the State's economic credibility. [Time expired.]

The Hon. PENNY SHARPE: My question without notice is addressed to the Treasurer. Will the Treasurer update the House on the strength of the New South Wales economy?

The Hon. ERIC ROOZENDAAL: I thank the Hon. Penny Sharpe for her question and interest in this matter. Yesterday in question time the Hon. Greg Pearce raised issues relating State final demand. Let me state for the record, State final demand is the best available measure of a State's economic performance. Economist Brian Redican from Macquarie Bank knows this. He told the Sydney Morning Herald earlier this year that State final demand is, "the best reflection of the underlying strength of the economy." CommSec economist Savanth Sebastian understands the significance of State final demand. He said, "The New South Wales economy is motoring along quite well." Even the esteemed Australian Financial Review understands it. Today an Australian Financial Review headline reads—and I have it—"NSW, Victoria lead the recovery".

The Hon. Duncan Gay: Point of order—

The PRESIDENT: Order! The Minister will resume his seat. Government members will cease interjecting.

The Hon. Duncan Gay: I take the same point of order as the Hon. Greg Pearce took earlier. The Treasurer is using a prop, which is against your ruling, Madam President. He is flouting your earlier ruling.

The PRESIDENT: Order! I uphold the point of order. I remind the Treasurer again that he should not use props.

The Hon. ERIC ROOZENDAAL: Yet another demonstration of a green shoots recovery in this economy and the Opposition wants to hide and deny it. I ask the House who should we listen to for economic advice? Should we listen to the Hon. Greg Pearce and his little puppeteer Mike Baird—and I know how close Greg and Mike are—or should we listen to serious economists and the Australian Financial Review? I would rather listen to Mark Ludlow from the Australian Financial Review, who writes the truth, than listen to the Hon. Greg Pearce.

The Hon. Greg Pearce: Point of order: The Treasurer is referring to the Australian Financial Review. Yesterday I was referring to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, which said that, unlike gross domestic product , State final demand is not a measure of the output or production of a State's economy.

The PRESIDENT: Order! That is not a point of order. The Hon. Greg Pearce will resume his seat. I place the Hon. Greg Pearce on a call to order. He has been warned before about attempting to debate an issue while taking a point of order. The Minister may continue.

The Hon. ERIC ROOZENDAAL: The member should know when he is beaten. This is an ongoing campaign by the Opposition to stomp on any good news and hide it. The Australian Financial Review acknowledges it, key economists acknowledge it, yet this Opposition continues to talk down the State economy and damage the State's economic reputation. State final demand is not a measure of economic output. There is no doubt about that. Nonetheless, State final demand is unquestionably a measure of economic activity and economic growth. This is because economic activity can be approached from a number of perspectives. Within the national accounts framework are the expenditure, income and production perspectives. State final demand relates to the expenditure perspective of the economy. I know that and the Australian Bureau of Statistics knows that. New South Wales is the nation's engine room.

New South Wales has contributed around 46 per cent of economic growth across all States and Territories so far this financial year. Yet the Opposition continues to talk down the State. They are so desperate to get into Government that they live by the theory that it is better to burn down the village than to save it. That is what they are trying to do with the reputation of this State and the reputation and credibility of the economy. Next week they will be eating their own words because the budget will demonstrate that we have made the right decisions for this State, in partnership with the Commonwealth Government, to ensure that we continue to deliver front-line services and infrastructure to the people of New South Wales.

Reverend the Hon. FRED NILE: I ask the Attorney General a question without notice. Is it a fact that The Hills Shire Council announced this week that it will ask Premier Kristina Keneally to change the law preventing councils from banning brothels? Has Mayor Peter Dimbrowsky of The Hills Shire Council stated, "We are a family orientated area. A brothel is not in keeping with these core values"? Will the Attorney General assist the Premier in introducing legislation that gives democratically elected councils the power to prohibit any brothels in their local government area?

The Hon. JOHN HATZISTERGOS: The answer to the first part of the question is that I do not know of any requests that The Hills Shire Council has made to anyone in Government. As to the second part of the question, that issue has been resolved by Parliament and it is not an issue I propose to revisit.

The Hon. DAVID CLARKE: My question without notice is directed to the Minister for Transport. Does the Minister recall telling the Penrith press in relation to the Metropolitan Transport Plan, "It is a fully financed plan for 10 years and we expect to see the work completed on the designated lines in six or seven years' time"? What rail lines was the Minister referring to when he said that work would be completed in six or seven years?

[Interruption]

The Hon. JOHN ROBERTSON: The Hon. David Clarke is not a local. He does not live in Penrith.

The Hon. Marie Ficarra: He spends a lot of time there.

The Hon. JOHN ROBERTSON: His tentacles are everywhere—there is no question about that. Just the other day I was reading in the paper about his tentacles. Last Friday I had the opportunity to address the Penrith Chamber of Commerce. I also spent time chatting with the Labor candidate, John Thain, who is a great candidate for Penrith. We talked about transport solutions and I talked about a fully funded, 10-year, $50.2 billion Metropolitan Transport Plan—a transport plan that ensures that we maintain the State's triple-A credit rating and, at the same time, deliver on these plans. The lines I was talking about and the issues that I was talking about are already underway, such as the turn back programs and western Sydney express lines. The work is being done now and, for the first time, a government is committed, through that plan, to a 10-year fully funded plan.

We have a fully funded plan; the Opposition has nothing. I do not hear anybody from the other side talk about transport. What I hear is nitpicking about transport but nothing on offer when it comes to a transport plan. We have a plan that is fully funded and is delivering turn backs, is setting up clearways, is delivering on rail carriages, is delivering on buses and is delivering for the people of New South Wales.

The Hon. DAVID CLARKE: I ask the Minister for Transport a supplementary question. Will the Minister elucidate on which lines will be completed in six or seven years time?

The Hon. JOHN ROBERTSON: Let us start with the Cronulla duplication line. It is completed and is already available and delivering rail services now—never mind six or seven years. The Cronulla duplication line has been delivered now. The Epping to Chatswood rail line is operational now and delivering extra—

The Hon. Michael Gallacher: But you were talking about the future not the past.

The Hon. JOHN ROBERTSON: I will answer the question. I am just telling members what has already been done. We are delivering right now when it comes to rail services.

The PRESIDENT: Order! If members of the Opposition do not stop interjecting, I will place them all on a call to order.

The Hon. JOHN ROBERTSON: We are delivering clearway projects. Lidcombe turn back is under construction right now and will be completed in that time. Also, the Homebush turn back, the Kingsgrove to Revesby quadruplication, the Richmond line duplication, the Macarthur station upgrade, the Liverpool turn back and south-west rail line are being built right now. Those are the lines that we are delivering.

The Hon. IAN WEST: I direct my question to the Minister for Transport. Will the Minister please inform the House about improvements to transport facilities for Quakers Hill commuters?

The Hon. JOHN ROBERTSON: This is just a bit more of what we are delivering. I am pleased to advise the House that work commenced this week on a $16.8 million upgrade of the Quakers Hill train station. The Hon. David Clarke should listen to this—they tell me this train station is out his way. That upgrade will make the station safer, more accessible and more comfortable for commuters. The easy access upgrade is being completed as part of the delivery of the Richmond duplication stage one works. The New South Wales Government's $230 million duplication of the Richmond line between Quakers Hill and Schofields that is currently underway will mean extra train services for Quakers Hill commuters. The population in that region is growing and it is important that we increase the capacity of local train services, particularly during peak periods.

The Quakers Hill station upgrade will significantly improve the facilities and amenities provided for CityRail commuters and staff. The new works include a new concourse, three lifts, a new station building and a family accessible toilet on the platform. The project's scope also includes the resurfacing of platforms, an upgrade of the lighting and improvements to the public address and station passenger information systems. It was my great pleasure to join the member for Riverstone, John Aquilina, on site on Monday this week to view the plans and to observe the start of works on site. Commuters from Quakers Hill can look forward to benefiting from the station improvements from around July next year.

These improvements will increase the safety and accessibility of the station for the thousands of customers who use it each day. In addition, the New South Wales Government is constructing a 200-space car park adjacent to the station, making it easier for local commuters to park and ride into work each day. These projects, worth around $250 million, demonstrate the New South Wales Government's commitment to improving public transport for communities in north-western Sydney. The Quakers Hill station project is just one example of the Government's work to provide equitable access to public transport services for the people of New South Wales.

Reliable rail services must be backed with accessible facilities for commuters who need them. The New South Wales Government is progressively upgrading CityRail stations across greater Sydney to meet the travelling needs of people with disabilities and elderly people with mobility constraints. Of the 307 operational stations on the CityRail network, 120 are now more accessible, with 76 per cent of rail users using these stations. The New South Wales Government has allocated more than $30 million to the Easy Access Program in the 2009-10 rail capital budget. RailCorp has recently completed major easy access upgrades at Lindfield, Eastwood, Auburn, Belmore, Bowral, Carlton, Emu Plains, Seven Hills, Penshurst, Turramurra and Werrington. Accessibility has been improved recently also at Woonona and Martins Creek stations where new wheelchair accessible ramps have been installed.

Level crossing works at Cowan station have improved accessibility for wheelchair passengers. Works have also commenced on the Devonshire Street side of Central station, as well as Martin Place and Burwood, to improve access. Projects are also underway to improve accessibility at Newtown and Unanderra stations. Other stations set to benefit from easy access upgrades in the short term include Sydenham, Picton, Windsor, Broadmeadow, Waterfall, Edgecliff, Museum, Dapto, Lawson, Clyde, Marrickville and Cardiff. The significant funds being invested in carrying out accessibility and amenity upgrades at stations across the CityRail network, including at Quakers Hill station, is further evidence that this Government is delivering on its commitment to improving public transport accessibility for the people of New South Wales.

Ms LEE RHIANNON: I direct my question to the Minister for State and Regional Development. Considering the Minister has spent more than $67,000 on trips to the United States of America, China, Hong Kong, Japan and India, with minimal public reporting on the results of this work, and considering the Minister oversaw the V8 Supercar race without putting in place a system to manage potential conflicts of interest and with no adequate business case, and that the Minister initiated this event in collaboration with one of his friends, and that he mismanaged negotiations—

The Hon. John Hatzistergos: Point of order: The question contains an enormous amount of argument and should be ruled out of order.

The PRESIDENT: Order! Having been given a copy of the question and having read it, I uphold the point of order. There is argument in the question.

The Hon. JENNIFER GARDINER: My question is directed to the Minister for Major Events. Is the Minister aware that the member for Balmain, Verity Firth, has launched a petition that states, "Sign my petition and let's work together to stop a New Year's Eve White Bay Concert"? Is the Minister also aware that Ms Firth told the Inner West Courier, "I will be opposing it in the strongest possible terms … I was unaware of any plans for a concert at White Bay until I read about it in the media"? Can the Minister explain why he had not spoken to his colleague and local member before publicising the $300,000 plan for a 45,000-person concert at White Bay? Is this an example of community consultation on the impact of a major event?

The Hon. IAN MACDONALD: I am quite happy to answer this question. It should be remembered that local members have a role in their communities and that the member for Balmain can adopt a position in relation to a proposed concert in her electorate. Let us be very clear: Local members are allowed to adopt positions relevant to their electorate. I think a concert at the end of the year is a pretty exciting prospect. We are in discussions in relation to a proposal to hold a concert on New Year's Eve on Glebe Island—not White Bay. It is proposed that the concert be held near the Anzac Bridge.

[Interruption]

I am happy; I have plenty of time. I am sure I will get the chance to talk for another two minutes—if I am lucky. The proposal for this concert to be held later in the year was brought to the Government earlier this year. It is proposed that the concert will feature Sting and a number of other very prominent artists.

The Hon. Michael Gallacher: What about Peter Garrett?

The Hon. Ian Macdonald: He is not a bad singer. I listen to Midnight Oil occasionally—when I am in an angry mood. This concert would be a great contribution to our New Year's Eve celebrations. I assure the member that there will be a consultation phase. We are discussing the proposal and the appropriate process will be followed when a submission is presented to the Government.

The Hon. Duncan Gay: So it is not happening?

The Hon. IAN MACDONALD: I hope it happens; it will be a wonderful concert. However, the proposal must go through the appropriate process. We are considering the concert and the promoters are working hard to secure a line-up that will make it a very attractive proposition. I think Sting is pretty popular, even in Balmain and potentially in Glebe. I know some people in Glebe who have told me that they would love to go to see Sting. The concert can be properly managed with transport, safety and all the other issues taken into consideration. There will be a public process at the appropriate time after the final submission is put together. We are engaged in discussions at the moment. When the proposal is finalised it will go through the appropriate process.

The Hon. EDDIE OBEID: My question is directed to the Minister for Ageing. Will the Minister outline what the Keneally Government is doing to support older people to remain active and connected to their communities?

The Hon. PETER PRIMROSE: The demographic shift towards an older population is often talked about as some kind of problem. It should not be: it is a blessing not a burden. We should celebrate the fact that people are living longer and healthier lives. However, that does not come without challenges. We must ensure that people enjoy a good quality of life through their later years. One of the keys to that is staying connected with friends, family and neighbours. We know that elderly people who remain socially active and stay engaged in learning and intellectual life have much better health outcomes. Older Australians who are socially isolated tend to experience illness more frequently than people who remain in close contact with friends and family. Involvement in community activities and keeping mentally active and emotionally engaged with the wider community helps elderly people to ward off loneliness and can prevent more serious problems like depression or dementia.

That is why last year the Government introduced the Positive Ageing Grants Program, which is administered by the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care. That program sits within the framework of Towards 2030: Planning for our Changing Population, which is the Keneally Government's five-year ageing strategy with a planning scope to 2030. A priority under Towards 2030 is to improve the capacity of a wide range of groups, including older people, to participate more fully in the community and to increase their participation in the arts and cultural activities. As I mentioned, activities like these keep people active and healthy, reduce social isolation and build community harmony. They are also important components of a prosperous, changing society.

The Positive Ageing Grants Program provides one-off funding of up to $50,000 for non-government and local government organisations to implement positive ageing projects and activities in the community. The program has proved to be exceptionally popular, with 354 applications received. I am pleased to advise that a total of 62 projects have been approved to receive funding of more than $770,000. The successful projects include a mix of arts, cultural, intergenerational, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and culturally and linguistically diverse projects from across regional and metropolitan New South Wales.

In Gosford, Peninsula Village Aged Care has received $6,240 for an art project involving 25 residents who will be tutored by an artist in mosaic making. The residents will choose the stories that encapsulate their experiences to produce five mosaic murals. On the far North Coast, the Association of Independent Retirees has been given $10,000 for a project to teach computer skills to the over-50s. The Eurobodalla Adult Education Centre has received almost $50,000 to deliver a series of life-long learning programs for seniors. There will be various activities, including computing and technology for beginners, genealogy classes, a community oral history project, bridge lessons, digital photography and photo editing and an elders indigenous mentoring program. In Sydney's east, the Randwick City Library Service has been given a $3,000 grant to purchase books and to run a book club for older migrants that will not only promote English literacy but also keep participants socially engaged when sharing their thoughts about the books.

Mr IAN COHEN: My question is addressed to the Minister for Lands. Did the Minister write to the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council advising that he had rejected its land claim over Taylor Oval at Moree on the basis that the land was needed for recreational purposes? If so, on which date did he first decide to sell part of Taylor Oval to Woolworths? Will the Minister inform the House of the date on which the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council made a land claim on Taylor Oval? Will he advise the House of the date on which the land was no longer used for recreational purposes?

The Hon. TONY KELLY: The New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council lodged a land claim over Taylor Oval under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act in 1983. That claim has since been refused by me as Minister for Lands. The land council has until 25 September 2010 to decide whether to appeal the Minister's decision in the Land and Environment Court. I make it clear that all land claims are dealt with on merit according to the Aboriginal Land Rights Act. In addition, each claim must be dealt with taking into consideration the date on which it was lodged. Therefore, it might take some years to be finalised. I am further advised that the local reserve trust has since decided to sell part of the Taylor Oval Reserve in Moree so that a new retail store, to be operated by Woolworths, can be constructed adjacent to the Moree central business district. There is already a Woolworths supermarket, but the intention is to build a Big W for the people of Moree. Should the proposed sale proceed, the income will be used for the development of recreational facilities in Moree.

The proposed construction of a new retail outlet in Moree is an exciting initiative that will provide a range of opportunities for the local community. A new outlet will bring more competition to the area, it can provide more local job opportunities, which normally come with such a development, and the development has the potential to bring many more possibilities to Moree. A large group from the community visited me some time ago. The group included a number of local Aboriginals who were very keen to get a job in the new Big W store. There was a commitment to that. In addition, I have made a commitment that any money we receive from the sale of the reserve will be allocated to reserves on Crown land in the Moree area. I am particularly aware of the sort of thing that is needed in the area. For example, I am advised that at local rugby league fields, where young Aboriginals play and their parents watch, there are only about 50 seats.

Obviously, in a place the size of Moree—and members of this House who come from the country would understand this—such facilities have been totally underdelivered. I would like to see a considerable proportion of the money from that sale—if that is what the community wants—be spent on the provision of such facilities, particularly seating at rugby league venues, to benefit the people of Moree. I have given a guarantee that every cent of that money will go back into reserves in the area.

The Hon. ROBYN PARKER: My question is directed to the Minister for Planning, Minister for Infrastructure, and Minister for Lands. Can the Minister provide details of the Lochinvar Police Station land sale, the stated intention of which was advertised in the Land newspaper last week by the Land and Property Management Authority in the following terms: "to sell, lease, exchange or otherwise dispose of or deal with the land at 24 Station Lane Lochinvar"? In particular, can the Minister advise what the timetable is for the sale of this land and for the construction of a new station, and will he make this information publicly available?

The Hon. TONY KELLY: Obviously, part of this question should be directed to the Minister for Police. However, I advise that I was the Minister for Police at the time the decision was made. We talked about it a couple of years ago.

The Hon. Robyn Parker: No, I am talking about the timetable. Your department is advertising it.

The Hon. TONY KELLY: The sale is my responsibility as Minister for Lands, but the building of the new police station is a decision for the Minister for Police and the Treasurer. I will give the member some background to the matter. The local member, Frank Terenzini, was very keen to ensure that police facilities were maintained in the lovely town of Lochinvar. Speed cameras were erected between two schools in the town as a result of a fatality many years ago. Some spurious rumours were spread around the community by the opponents of the member for Maitland suggesting that the Government was going to close the police station. The police station, I was told—

The Hon. Robyn Parker: So, you don't know the answer to the question?

The Hon. TONY KELLY: I will give the member a full answer, if she will be quiet. If in doing so I run out of time, she might like to ask me a supplementary question. It was also suggested to me that the building would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to renovate. At that stage the police officer had moved out of the building because it was said that it could not be lived in. I was advised that the building was an historic house—a beautiful old sandstone building. Upon inspection I found it to be a cement-rendered building and not a lovely old sandstone building. However, it was situated on a large block of land—actually, three building blocks. So, a decision was taken at the request of Frank Terenzini—because there were no funds available at that time to build a new police station and nobody could accelerate the process—to sell one of the vacant blocks as well as the building and then to build a brand-new police station and police residence. That is still underway.

The Hon. TONY CATANZARITI: My question is addressed to the Minister for Planning. Will the Minister update the House on what action the Government is taking in relation to new prohibitions on mining and extractive industries?

The Hon. TONY KELLY: The New South Wales Government is committed to increasing employment and business opportunities in regional New South Wales. Contrary to assertions from the other side, I was pleased to announce recently the approval of two applications for major goldmine expansions in the central west of New South Wales. The most significant of those was my approval in January of the $2 billion expansion of the Cadia East gold and copper mine near Orange. The Cadia East project is expected to inject more than $1 billion into the regional economy and support more than 2,000 jobs, many of them in Orange, Bathurst, Eugowra, Molong and Blayney. That will have wide-reaching effects. The Cadia Valley workforce will swell to about 1,400 during construction and 880 operational jobs will be ongoing and secured over the life of the mine.

This is not just about employment. Under the approval, Cadia will contribute $8 million over the life of the project to local councils to upgrade and maintain local roads. The decision on how that money is distributed will be taken by the councils and the mine owners. Community services and other facilities will also be funded. I am particularly pleased to be able to advise the House that although it will expand its mining operations, the mine will reduce its water demand through the introduction of some new water efficiency measures and the utilisation of wastewater. I understand that the mine will take and use all the wastewater from Orange, rather than it end up polluting local rivers. This is a very good environmental outcome.

The rigorous and transparent assessment of Cadia East, including the community consultation, resulted in some 80 stringent conditions being imposed on the project. These address such issues as water, ecological, noise and air quality impacts. The Newcrest board of directors officially gave the project the go-ahead in April, and construction of Australia's largest underground goldmine is now underway. This key decision is an important vote of confidence in the New South Wales regional economy. I am pleased to advise the House that this project will be a real stimulus for the central west.



The story does not end there. Orange is not the only centre to benefit from expanded business investment and new jobs in the mining industry in the central western region. I have also recently approved a modification to Barrick's Lake Cowal goldmine consent, which will support almost 800 jobs throughout the region over the next decade and include up to 370 direct jobs in the mine itself. The modification will extend the operational life by two years, to the end of 2019, and it will also increase the annual production rate from 6.9 million tonnes to 7.5 million tonnes of ore a year. The modification involves a direct injection of $58 million at the Lake Cowal goldmine site. Extended operation of the mine also delivers an ongoing boost to the regional economy of some $228 million in business turnover each year through the generation of an estimated $54 million in household income. It will play an important part in the prosperity of towns like West Wyalong, Forbes and Condobolin. The planning assessment process has ensured that the Central West can continue to benefit from these important investments without compromising the region's valuable environment and water resources. [Time expired.]

Ms SYLVIA HALE: I address my question to the Minister for Planning. Is the Minister aware that of the 10 letters of complaint that he cited as reasons for removing Cessnock council's planning powers, four are not primarily complaints about council? Is he aware that, of the remaining six, three are from the property development or real estate industry including one from a very large donor to the Labor Party? Is he aware that in relation to one complaint, which was referred to the Ombudsman's Office, council was found to have acted adequately and reasonably—

The Hon. Greg Donnelly: Point of order: My point of order goes to the argument inherently contained in the question. The member knows the standing orders, yet she continues to ask questions that contain argument. The question should be ruled out of order.

Ms SYLVIA HALE: To the point of order: The Minister cannot answer my question, which is whether there is a case for removing the council's planning powers, unless he has the adequate background. That adequate background is a dissection of the reasons why the 10 letters of complaint are spurious.

The PRESIDENT: Order! The question contained mainly background information for the Minister rather than argument. I will allow the question. As the member's time to ask her question has expired, the Minister will have to answer the question on the basis of what has been asked.

The Hon. TONY KELLY: The only part of the member's statement that was actually a question related to the basis of a decision to take away planning powers. The local Greens councillor, James Ryan, visited me in the last couple of weeks about a different matter, after being on radio, bagging the Government for going through the proper process of giving the council 21 days to address allegations made against it. After allowing the council the process of natural justice to address these allegations, this councillor publicly releases the detail of some information that was given to the council. I do not know whether the people who have complained about that actually gave permission for their names to be used. In any event, this particular councillor goes out and starts to bag the Government.

The Hon. John Hatzistergos: A Greens councillor?

The Hon. TONY KELLY: A Greens councillor. They have been released by the council to allow them natural justice to reply to the department, firstly, to see whether or not the allegations are accurate and, secondly, whether there could be some outcome from the decision. I am not going to release all the names because most of them who have actually complained are not from my party.

Ms Sylvia Hale: One of them is Duncan Hardy.

The Hon. TONY KELLY: Duncan Hardy? I do not know whether he is even on the list.

Dr John Kaye: Did you say most of them were from your party?

The Hon. TONY KELLY: I said most of them are not from my party; they are from other parties.

[Interruption]

Ms Sylvia Hale obviously does not want to hear the answer. About two or three days after the Greens councillor from Cessnock council was bagging the Government, and me, in particular—he talked about something that happened at Wellington recently, but I was general manager there 14 years ago—he turned up at my office with a couple of other people to talk about another issue entirely. After we had spent 20 minutes or so discussing the matter and as I was about to leave—in fact I had to be interviewed on ABC radio about Cessnock council—I said to him, "Now, don't you want to discuss something else with me?" He looked at me with a stunned look on his face. I said, "Well, what about Cessnock council? You have been on the radio up there talking about this. Here is your opportunity to say something to my face. Don't you want to discuss it with me?" That is how much he cared.

The Hon. JOHN HATZISTERGOS: If members have further questions, I suggest that they place them on notice.

Questions without notice concluded.

[The President left the chair at 1.02 p.m. The House resumed at 2.30 p.m.]

Bill received from the Legislative Assembly, and read a first time and ordered to be printed on motion by the Hon. Tony Kelly.

Motion by the Hon. Tony Kelly agreed to:

That standing orders be suspended to allow the passing of the bill through all its remaining stages during the present or any one sitting of the House.

Second reading set down as an order of the day for a later hour.

The Clerk informed the House that this day he had received correspondence from the Director General of the Department of Premier and Cabinet advising that, following the tabling of the report of the Independent Legal Arbiter on Wednesday 2 June 2010 relating to a disputed claim of privilege on documents received on 10 March and 18 March 2010 regarding Tillegra Dam further order, Hunter Water Corporation had waived its claim of privilege on the documents. The Clerk tabled the correspondence and relevant documents.

Motion by the Hon. Penny Sharpe agreed to:

That standing and sessional orders be suspended to allow a motion to be moved forthwith that Private Members' Business item No. 253 outside the Order of Precedence, relating to National Reconciliation Week, be called on forthwith.

Motion by the Hon. Penny Sharpe agreed to:

That Private Members' Business item No. 253 outside the Order of Precedence be called on forthwith.

Debate resumed from an earlier hour.

Mr IAN COHEN [2.34 p.m.]: I continue the speech I began before question time today on the motion regarding National Reconciliation Week. As a Greens member and as the member with responsibility for Aboriginal issues on behalf of the Greens, I am pleased to speak to the motion. Much has been said about closing the gap. I note with interest the facts and figures that have been given by previous speakers in regard to the improvements in health, education, housing, and many other areas where there is a huge disparity, both historically and currently, between the Aboriginal community and the rest of the population. Certainly some practical measures can be taken, and have been taken in recent times, to address the issue.

I am very pleased about recent events, including significant discussions with the Government and the passing of the legislation protecting the river red gums. I am also pleased that I was able to bring to the House's attention the concerns of the Yorta Yorta nation, particularly with regard to logging in the Millewa State Forest, which was stopped far more quickly than was envisaged originally. That was a direct request from the Yorta Yorta people. The original time frame involved logging continuing for five years after the national park was declared. I am very pleased, first, to have been an active advocate of what I believe was a very worthwhile cause; and, secondly, to have been able to bring to the House's attention the concerns of the Yorta Yorta nation, to make representations on their behalf, and to be successful in those representations. I know that the Yorta Yorta people are very pleased with that result, and I am extremely happy to have been part of a process that put into effect some of the many aspirational statements that are made in forums such as this.

Another significant issue for me and for the Arakwal clan, the Aboriginal custodians of the Byron area, is the ongoing reconciliation work that has occurred locally. That includes simply working with friends. As recently as about a month ago I spoke at length about this issue in the House in my contribution to debate on the Broken Head protection bill, which passed through the House. Whilst I do not need to go over those matters now, certainly the indigenous land use agreement was pioneering for the Byron Bay area. Many politicians, including Labor ex-Premiers Bob Carr and Morris Iemma and local Nationals member Don Page, participated in the negotiations. As a result of the agreement, significant natural areas are now generously protected, in concert with the local Aboriginal people.

We now have Aboriginal co-management of national park areas, and a significant amount of employment in country, particularly for young local Aboriginal people. I spend a lot of time in those areas and on the beaches when Parliament is not sitting and I am at home. It is always great to see those young people in their ranger uniforms doing a great job keeping the national park facilities functioning well for the enjoyment of local residents and the many tourists who come to town looking to understand and experience Aboriginal culture, as well as the area's many other attractions.

I have participated in a number of parliamentary committee inquiries. Currently, I am involved in the fishing inquiry. The committee recently held a hearing on the South Coast and we met with Aboriginal land council representatives and professional fishers in the area to discuss their concerns, from a traditional and a professional perspective, about the fisheries. It is important to hear their concerns and to maintain sustainable fisheries, while acknowledging that Aboriginal fishers, both traditional and professional, have a role to play in sustainability.

I referred to the river red gums. A few weeks ago when I was in the Millewa area I got to swim in the Murray River, and it was a fantastic experience. A Gamilaroi elder told me some time ago—and it is worth keeping this in mind—that when the waters flow and the environment is healthy, the community is healthy also. Those Aboriginal communities from the inland water areas greatly appreciate that when people, young and old, are utilising their environment in a constructive and sustainable way there are far fewer social problems such as delinquency—a phenomenon that is reflected across the whole of society. In recent times we have seen the difficulties caused by widespread drought but the drought has now broken across much of New South Wales. Hopefully we will now see a more equitable sharing of water, less monopolisation of water for industrial and agricultural uses, and recognition of the importance of environmental flows in those areas in order to maintain both the environment and the wellbeing of communities.

An extremely important omnibus bill to protect Aboriginal cultural heritage passed through the House a matter of days ago, and I argued in support of it. All members recognise that as a result of that legislation we have taken significant steps forward to protect Aboriginal cultural heritage. It is one thing to protect Aboriginal cultural heritage but it is another thing to put Aboriginal people in charge of their heritage, which is something the bill failed to deliver adequately. We should keep pushing for an Aboriginal heritage commission, run and organised by Aboriginal people, that has real legislative power. That would allow Aboriginal people to play a creative and positive role in the protection of their heritage.

In today's paper the development of a Woolworths shopping centre at Taylor Oval, Moree, was mentioned. Many local Aboriginal people are concerned about the proposed development but the Government sees it differently. Not only does the keen football community use the oval but also such a development would not be in the best interests of the town's small businesses, which are situated along the main road. In Mullumbimby in my local area debate also raged about the impact of Woolworths coming to town. I think it is sad that the Government sees this as such a positive step when people should be employed in smaller, local, community businesses. Taylors Oval is a significant sporting facility but it also has the potential to be a burial site for elders. The Government should tread very carefully. However, once again the local government instrumentality—in this case Moree council—is keen on the development that is being mooted, which is not necessarily in the best interests of the whole community. This is a good example of why Aboriginal people should have a greater opportunity to have a say and not be dependent upon the goodwill of white authorities. A heritage commission run and organised by Aboriginal people would provide this opportunity.

Another issue of significance in National Reconciliation Week is that of stolen wages. At one stage my office was quite involved in stirring up the matter and played a small, but significant, role in highlighting that basic issue of justice. Wages were stolen from Aboriginal people who had worked in earlier times under various circumstances and who were not paid properly. The issue became quite a big media story. Nevertheless, the amount of wages to be returned was constantly reduced and the recognition of legitimacy was made more difficult. I must ask: Have all the moneys legitimately owed to the Aboriginal people and their descendants been paid? In National Reconciliation Week it would be gratifying to know that the matter has been resolved, but I doubt that is the case. The theme of this very important week is, "Reconciliation: let's see it through", and we are moving in the right direction—I think I have heard that line before. But there is a long way to go before proper justice is delivered to the Aboriginal people of New South Wales. Having said that, we can at least recognise that a significant start has been made. National Reconciliation Week is an event to be celebrated by all in New South Wales.

The Hon. TONY CATANZARITI [2.46 p.m.]: I am pleased to support the motion of the Hon. Penny Sharpe. I take this opportunity to acknowledge the elders past and present of the Eora, Kuring-Gai and Darug peoples, who know Sydney so well, and I recognise the elders past and present of the Wiradjuri people from my area of Griffith. I pay my respects to you all. Many members wish to speak to this important motion today. I will have the benefit of making an adjournment speech tonight when I will speak further about reconciliation and some of the important things that are happening in the Riverina. In supporting reconciliation, I commend this motion to the House.

Reverend the Hon. FRED NILE [2.47 p.m.]: I am pleased to support the motion of the Hon. Penny Sharpe as we acknowledge National Reconciliation Week, which is celebrated from 27 May to 3 June 2010. This week focuses upon the rich culture and history of the first Australians. It is timely for us to reflect on the importance of the ongoing reconciliation process, which I am pleased to be part of. In 1933 the combined Christian churches commenced a Week of Prayer for Reconciliation, and in 1996 the event was expanded to become National Reconciliation Week—a week to provide a nationwide focus for all reconciliation activities. A number of events, which are advertised in the media, are held during this week.

As members are aware, 27 May marks the anniversary of the 1967 referendum when more than 90 per cent of Australians voted to remove the clauses from the Australian Constitution that discriminated against indigenous Australians. The referendum also gave the Commonwealth Government the power to make laws on behalf of Aboriginal people. Until that time, matters regarding Aboriginal people came under the power of the State governments. Various State government departments were responsible for the needs of Aboriginal people. This was not because the Commonwealth Government did not want the responsibility or responsibility had been taken away from it but because of the way our nation had developed. Australia was made up of States from 1778 to 1901, and the Commonwealth was a relatively new arrival. That is the reason for the distinction as to who administered the law for Aboriginal people.

Also, 3 June marks the anniversary of the High Court judgement in the 1992 Mabo case. This decision recognised the native title rights of the Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders as the original inhabitants of the continent and overturned the previous premise of terra nullius—that is, that the continent was empty or unowned before the arrival of Europeans. Of course, the nation was not empty. When Captain Cook arrived he met with Aboriginal people, as did the First Fleet. They were aware that Aboriginal people were living on the continent. People from other nations ask why no attempt was made to sign a treaty with the Aboriginal people or to seek their permission. Who would the Europeans have asked? Although the Aboriginal people had a clan or tribal structure, they did not have a political structure as recognised by Europeans. There was no national Aboriginal government to negotiate with. I believe that posed a practical problem. On my reading of the history of the early colony, Governor Phillip and his successors afforded the Aboriginal people recognition. They treated them with respect and according to the law. There was not one law for white people and another for Aboriginal people. A white man who killed an Aboriginal person would be hanged. I do not believe that would have happened in the colonies of other nations, such as France and Spain, where the native people were considered to be lower than Europeans.

In speaking to this motion on National Reconciliation Week, I pay tribute to a number of Aboriginal leaders whom I know who have worked very hard to promote reconciliation. Whilst many non-indigenous Australians work hard to promote reconciliation, it must be noted that many Aboriginal leaders also labour very hard to promote genuine reconciliation. Some of them have good reason to have hatred in their hearts and to carry a grudge because of the way they or their ancestors have been treated. The people I know, who are Christians, have forgiven the Europeans for the way they treated the Aboriginal people. They have reached out their hand in a genuine act of friendship and reconciliation. It is important to acknowledge that it is a two-way action.

A group of Aboriginal people with whom I have been associated since 1983 belongs to the Muli Muli Aboriginal community, which is an Aboriginal village north of Kyogle near the Queensland border. Hundreds of Aboriginal people live in this village. Over the years, with State and Federal assistance, they have replaced old, ramshackle buildings with modern, design-built, brick houses. I have stayed in some of these houses. They are well built and of high quality and meet the needs of the Aboriginal people. I am pleased that they have been able to secure this type of accommodation. A unique aspect of this village is that it is a Christian village. I do not claim that everyone in the community is a dedicated Christian, but I understand that the majority are. This fact is reflected in the atmosphere of the village and the way in which the people care for it. There are no wrecked cars or rubbish lying around and the grounds are well maintained. At the back of the village is a well cared for cemetery, where some of the older people are buried.

Beyond the cemetery are two or three large piles of beer cans. The beer cans have been left as a memorial to past activities. At one stage the community had serious problems with alcohol consumption, which led to violence, the destruction of homes and the burning down of the community centre. But because of their Christian faith and through God's grace, the whole community has changed. The people keep the beer cans to remind them of the bad times. Now no alcohol is allowed in the community. It is a dry community, and I believe that is one of the reasons for its success. The community also discourages cigarette smoking. However, on my visits I have noticed some people still puffing away.

Following the referendum in 1967, Aboriginal people were included in the census. I am pleased to note that the census showed that 67 per cent of Aboriginal people claimed they were Christians. That was more than the non-indigenous population, of whom 63 per cent said they were Christians. That is a tribute to the pioneering missionaries who, in the early stages of the establishment of the British colony, endeavoured to minister to the Aboriginal people and to share with them the Gospel and the Christian faith. Their efforts were successful. Obviously changes also occurred in later generations, but the first missionaries had a great impact. In the centre of the Muli Muli village is a Christian church. It is not labelled Baptist, Methodist or Presbyterian; it is a church for all Christians. The long-serving pastor of the church, who died about two years ago, was Pastor Francis Bundock. Pastor Bundock gave leadership to the church and also acted as a de facto mayor, helping to resolve disputes in the community. Since his death, the community has accepted his wife, Lola Bundock, as the Christian leader of the community.

In the late 1980s the Muli Muli Aboriginal community told me that the people would like to share their faith and spread the message of reconciliation. I arranged to tour with a community group around New South Wales, particularly to country towns. Two buses and accommodation were arranged, and we travelled from town to town for some months. At each service I would accept a welcome from the local church or minister and then hand over to the Aboriginal pastors, who would preach. The highlight of the service was the Muli Muli Ladies Christian Choir. They came onto the platform dressed in dazzling white dresses, representing purity, with a red shawl around their shoulders, representing the blood of Christ. They had a very sincere faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

On one occasion we held a march through the city streets to promote reconciliation. The march was led by some of the Aboriginal pastors and there was a large banner depicting a map of Australia with a black hand and a white hand clasped together. I am pleased to pay tribute today to those Aboriginal Christian leaders, including Pastor Francis Bundock, Pastor Peter Walker, Pastor Bob Brown and Pastor Bill Bird. A few years ago Pastor Bill Bird took me to the site of the Myall Creek massacre and shared with me the background to what happened on that occasion. A simple cross has been erected at the site in memory of the Aboriginal people who died there—mainly women and children massacred by a group of white stockmen.

I also pay tribute to the Redeemer Baptist Church, which organised students from the Redeemer Baptist School to go to Muli Muli for nearly two weeks on a working party to help paint and update the church. The church was not falling down but the working party carried out a lot of improvements and painted it to make it look like a new church. I am very pleased they were able to do that. It was a genuine practical act of reconciliation that the Aboriginal people greatly appreciated. I am very pleased to support this motion.

The Hon. KAYEE GRIFFIN [3.01 p.m.]: I speak in support of this motion. Today marks the last day of Reconciliation Week 2010 as well as the fourteenth anniversary of the first Reconciliation Week. This year's theme, "Reconciliation: Let's See It Through", is a timely reminder of the importance of continuing the process of reconciliation between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians whilst focusing on continued efforts to raise the profile of the importance and significance of reconciliation for all Australians. The theme has a focus on the concept of building relationships, which is really the crux of the whole notion of true reconciliation. Through building these relationships we can work together to close the gaps.

Members have drawn our attention to the significance of today in a concerted effort not only to address inequities but also to achieve ultimately a collective sense of equality and justice. As other members have said during this debate, despite progress in recent years in our national journey towards reconciliation, there is still so much further to travel and much more to be accomplished. While there have been genuine improvements, both symbolic and material, to redress the conspicuous inequalities between indigenous and non-indigenous Australia, these improvements represent tentative first steps towards a real and lasting reconciliation that all Australians can share in and of which they can be proud.

This nation's treatment of her indigenous peoples has long been an uncomfortable truth and one that has only recently, in historical terms, begun to be adequately addressed. The dispossession of indigenous Australians is a constant theme in our colonial history. As a settler society, like the United States of America, we have to acknowledge that this nation was founded through denying the rights of another in a violent conquest rather than a peaceful acquisition. If we are to be confident in our future we need to be comfortable about our past. Telling the stories for what they are and our history in full is a step in the right direction.

The long silence on the Aboriginal question, broken intermittently by the 1967 referendum, came to an end in 1991 with the High Court's Mabo ruling, which finally put paid to the legal fiction of terra nullius. The determination of the Keating Government to begin addressing some of the fundamental issues of reconciliation is one of his government's most enduring achievements, epitomised by the 1993 Native Title Act, which recognised and protected native title. Keating's Redfern speech on 10 December 1992 to celebrate the 1993 International Year of the World's Indigenous People summarised the importance of reconciliation. He said, in part:

It might help us if we non-Aboriginal Australians imagined ourselves dispossessed of land we had lived on for fifty thousand years - and then imagined ourselves told it had never been ours.

Imagine if ours was the oldest culture in the world and we were told that it was worthless.

Imagine if we had resisted this settlement, suffered and died in the defence of our land, and then were told in history books that we had given up without a fight.

Imagine if non-Aboriginal Australians had served their country in peace and war and were then ignored in history books.

Imagine if our feats on sporting fields had inspired admiration and patriotism and yet did nothing to diminish prejudice.

Imagine if our spiritual life was denied and ridiculed.

Imagine if we had suffered the injustice and then were blamed for it.

It seems to me that if we can imagine the injustice we can imagine its opposite.

And we can have justice.

As Keating emphasised, in both action and words, reconciliation is both symbolic and practical. Like two sides of one coin, you cannot have one without the other. Today in this debate members have spoken about the challenge of closing the gap in regard to Aboriginal disadvantage in Australia. I echo those sentiments and I acknowledge my own hope that there will come a time when the focus can shift from the inequality and disadvantage of indigenous Australians to a focus on unity as we move together as a fairer, stronger and more unified nation. That does not involve just government; it is a whole-of-community approach, with government, communities, business and individuals making a concerted and combined effort to engage constructively in meeting the many challenges we as a nation face in successfully ending indigenous disadvantage. That incorporates all the elements mentioned in today's debate by members from both sides in relation to indigenous issues: health and life expectancy, education, literacy and numeracy, employment and socioeconomic problems, and any area where indigenous Australians are not afforded the same opportunities as non-indigenous Australians.

The Rudd Government's approach to indigenous policy, as outlined in the Closing the Gap on Indigenous Disadvantage report of February 2009, details the policies and strategies that the Australian Government—with State governments and the Council of Australian Governments—will employ in meeting the many challenges of indigenous disadvantage. Without going into great detail, key components framing specific policy initiatives include setting clear and measurable targets; re-setting and rebuilding relationships—key to this year's Reconciliation Week theme; improving the quality of service delivery of programs and initiatives for indigenous Australians; and an emphasis on accountability for achieving outcomes and reporting and assessing progress.

Reconciliation Australia has been instrumental in promoting and supporting a range of initiatives aimed at building relationships to better the cause of effective reconciliation in practical and effective ways. Some members earlier mentioned the Unfinished Oz website, an initiative by Reconciliation Australia to raise public awareness about reconciliation and to encourage Australians to reconfirm their commitment to reconciliation, focusing on "finishing Oz." As the Unfinished Oz website states, true reconciliation is not just about the past; it is about moving forward together to celebrate our similarity and diversity.

The Unfinished Oz website connects users to one another using a visual map of Australia. Visitors can click to register their support and see messages from other Australians who have done the same. There are personal messages, videos and information on how to get involved with reconciliation-themed projects across the country. I encourage anyone who has not seen this website to log on and have a look. It is a very interesting and user-friendly website with an emphasis on the shared connections around the country between those who would like to voice their support or get involved in the reconciliation process.

Numerous events are being held across the country—and this is testament to the increased awareness of Australians to the significance of celebrating and promoting Reconciliation. Reconciliation Week activities taking place in 2010 include a range of cultural and artistic events such as photography workshops, art exhibitions and music and dance workshops, as well as seminars, forums and workshops on reconciliation, its process and history. Reconciliation is an ongoing journey towards a more just and equal society. Public debate on the issue has occupied and shaped our evolving national character for more than 20 years, and we are stronger for it. Indeed, our nation has come a long way since recognising the need for reconciliation. But it is a job unfinished, with much work to be done in reducing the disparity between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians.

I acknowledge the continued efforts of Reconciliation Australia in promoting and publicising the importance of the reconciliation issue and the many individuals, community groups, government and non-government organisations hosting and participating in National Reconciliation Week activities. I support the motion.

The Hon. SHAOQUETT MOSELMANE [3.10 p.m.]: Like my colleagues, I speak in support of the motion that the House recognise the work of Reconciliation Australia in building relationships for change between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. In the year 2000, about 300,000 people walked across Sydney Harbour Bridge and hundreds of thousands more walked across bridges around the country as part of National Reconciliation Week to demonstrate their support for reconciliation. During that year, Reconciliation Australia was born of this popular movement and was set up as an independent, not-for-profit organisation to carry the movement forward. It was another eight years before we finally saw a Labor Government elected in Canberra and subsequently heard an Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, apologise on behalf of the nation to members of the Stolen Generations.

The story did not start and stop there. We must continue to listen to and work with our indigenous communities. Mr Jack Beetson, the chief executive officer of Birpai Local Aboriginal Land Council and its director at the time, said during hearings of this Parliament's Standing Committee on Social Issues:

How many times do Aboriginal people have to keep telling? People keep asking and we keep telling, but nobody is listening to what we are saying and that is frustrating.

Governments must listen to those people and to their communities and work with them to come up with and implement appropriate solutions. The Hon. Ian West, the then chairman of the committee, wrote in the foreword to the committee's report:

Following the national Apology there is hope that this country also has good intent. Governments must not allow political or economic cycles to be excuses for nice words and little implementation. The opportunity for good intentions to translate into reality is waiting to be fully taken. What is needed is a radical change in the way that government engages with Aboriginal communities … and in the failure to address inherent problems within the Aboriginal communities. There is a pressing need for greater flexibility in the service design, provision and implementation.

Such words must be followed by action and supported by political will at all levels of government before anything starts to move. I do not have much faith in the current process, and I strongly believe in the view that Aboriginal people should lead on Aboriginal issues with representation in a forum such as this House. That would give them the voice they deserve to tell the wider community of New South Wales exactly what they want rather than be told what they should have. I believe in the following words of the Legislative Council Standing Committee on Social Issues in its report on enhancing Aboriginal political representation, which was chaired by the Hon. Jan Burnswood, MLC:

The Committee asserts that a just and equitable society requires the involvement and active participation of all sectors in the decision-making processes which affect their individual lives and communities.

In its executive summary the committee also notes:

… the special status that Aboriginal People hold in our society as descendants of the original inhabitants and that special measures are warranted to ensure that they are able to fulfil their democratic expectations and exercise their rights without inhibition.

As I said in my inaugural speech not long ago, I believe that we should enact legislation to establish dedicated Aboriginal seats in the New South Wales Parliament, in particular in the Legislative Council. Although many Aborigines who participated in the inquiry disagreed about the mechanism, they expressed a strong desire to play a more active role in the political processes in this State. Furthermore, the committee found significant support and enthusiasm for the concept of dedicated seats amongst Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people who attended consultation sessions.

Everyone recognises the formidable challenge involved in the creation of dedicated seats. However, the committee recommended that every political party represented in the New South Wales Parliament should be asked to develop an action plan by March 2000. It is now 2010 and there is nothing in sight. I, for one, am not holding my breath. Although I recognise and congratulate the New South Wales Labor Party for its endorsement of our only member of Parliament of Aboriginal descent, the Hon. Linda Burney—who gained her position through her own hard work—all governments must consider introducing dedicated seats for Aborigines. I truly believe that is the only way to move forward and the only way possible, given overseas examples such as New Zealand.

The theme of National Reconciliation Week 2010 is "Reconciliation: Let's see it through". Thanks to the efforts being made by State and local governments across Australia, Reconciliation Australia can say that an increasing number of Australians are becoming engaged in and are taking action on reconciliation. I had the pleasure of attending Hurstville City Council's Reconciliation Week gathering and heard many breathtaking stories of prejudice, abuse and lack of recognition, respect and trust. I was appalled, but I am also hopeful that the future will be brighter.

One of the most important assets of any nation is not its natural resources—its oil, gold, coal or iron ore—nor is it advances in technology or the development of trade; it is the nation's own people. It is people living in peace and harmony that ensures a stable and harmonious community and society. No community deserves to be isolated, victimised, marginalised or made to feel outcast and out of place or that it is second class. Every individual must be made to feel that he or she is an important member of society like any other member of that society with the same rights, privileges and responsibilities under the law. No community should be allowed to be victimised by any other section of the community or by governments or political organisations. No-one should be allowed to introduce laws to suppress people and remove their right to free speech and free expression of their sociopolitical and religious views and habits, so long as they are not contrary to the law of the land. No-one should be allowed to impose his or her views on the rights and privileges of other citizens. For peace and harmony to exist we must ensure that we respect each other and the rights of all as equals, be they rich or poor, Aboriginal or non-Aboriginal, Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, able or disabled. All deserve to be respected and allowed to feel at one with the community in which they live.

Yes, a lot more work remains to be done, but the New South Wales Government and our Federal colleagues have helped to build respect, trust and knowledge to turn good intentions into effective actions paving the way forward. The New South Wales Government has worked hard to gain and keep the respect and trust of Aboriginal people and their communities. In the words of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, we are now "walking together, first Australians alongside all Australians, towards a stronger and fairer Australian nation".

The first apology by a government to members of the Stolen Generations occurred some years ago in this Parliament. We adopted the vision of Reconciliation Australia to see everyone in New South Wales recognising and respecting the special place, culture, rights and contributions of Aboriginal people and to create a State in which good relationships between the first Australians and other Australians becomes the foundation for local strength and success and the enhancement of our national wellbeing. Surely the values of Reconciliation Australia are the values that all of us should hold dear: recognition and respect for the special place of Aboriginal peoples as the first Australians in our national identity; respect for the diversity of values, cultures, ideas and the identity of indigenous and non-indigenous Australians; striving for justice and equality, understanding that things are far from equal; working to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people having access to the resources they need to exercise their rights, to achieve their potential and to participate in the social and economic life of this country; building on our knowledge of Aboriginal culture to ensure that we have a strong foundation for safe and respectful relationships; being honest and transparent in our communication; practising what we preach; being ethical; and providing an example to others.

Governments of all persuasions have an obligation to introduce laws, regulations and policies to protect Aboriginal history and culture. I take this opportunity to congratulate the New South Wales Labor Government for protecting Aboriginal heritage and strengthening this State's laws by introducing amendments to the National Parks and Wildlife Act. Those amendments significantly strengthen the provisions in the legislation that are designed to protect Aboriginal culture and heritage. This important legislation will protect our Australian culture, history and identity for future generations to learn about and appreciate. We should do more to investigate, work with and give a voice to the Aboriginal community to run its own affairs, to be part of Australia and the Australian government and to have the ability to legislate and enforce laws as part of our wider Australian society.

I trust that members of this House will join me in acknowledging the positive focus of Reconciliation Australia in building a stronger and lasting relationship between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people of this great nation of ours. I encourage honourable members to consider resurrecting debate on the dedication of parliamentary seats for Aboriginal people in order to give them the voice they deserve, noting that Reconciliation Australia is about building a genuine relationship for change between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. I dedicate these words to Aboriginal activist and representatives including Neville Bonner, Burnham Burnham, Aidan Ridgeway, Charles Perkins, and Charles "Chika" Dixon. I congratulate the Premier of New South Wales, Kristina Keneally, for honouring Chika with a State funeral. Finally, I hope the future is brighter for our indigenous people, who deserve better.

The Hon. LYNDA VOLTZ [3.21 p.m.]: This week marks the fourteenth anniversary of National Reconciliation Week, the theme of which is "Reconciliation: Lets See it Through!" This is an opportunity to celebrate the progress made in the social consciousness of much of the Australian public, where we have as a nation acknowledged the darker times of our history and resolved to remove the social and economic barriers faced by the indigenous population. However, despite the growing public support for reconciliation, there are still those who refuse to even extend the most basic courtesy to our indigenous population. In that regard I refer to the Federal Opposition leader, whose comments regarding the widely accepted acknowledgement of country procedure hark back to an era that most of us have left behind. With an acknowledgement of country non-Aboriginal people can show respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and give recognition to their traditional ownership of the land on which we now stand.

The primary objection provided by the Federal Leader of the Opposition, Mr Abbott, to an acknowledgement of country is a thinly veiled attempt to deny history by claiming that it is tokenistic. He has called this gesture "out of place tokenism". The director of the Cape York institute, Noel Pearson, publicly condemned Tony Abbott for crossing a line and feeding an unfortunate, irrational anti-Aboriginal sentiment in his attack on the acknowledgement of country protocol.

Reconciliation Week is also a time to pay tribute to indigenous veterans who have served in Australia's armed forces and have served in every armed conflict or operation since the Boer War alongside their non-indigenous counterparts. Last Friday I was fortunate enough, in marking the start of Reconciliation Week, to attend a ceremony at the Anzac War Memorial to recognise indigenous soldiers and their contribution throughout all our major conflicts and their treatment on returning home. Also attending the ceremony to acknowledge National Reconciliation Week was the Federal Minister for Defence Personnel, Alan Griffin. indigenous soldiers, sailors and airmen and airwomen have served Australia in all wars and conflicts and peace operations since the Boer War and continue to do so today. Many have served alongside their non-indigenous counterparts throughout more than 100 years at every stage of Australia's wartime history, and it is important that we honour their contribution. Their contribution began as trackers with Australia's contingent in the Boer War, in South Africa from 1899 to 1902. Indigenous soldiers also served with the first Australian Imperial Force in the First World War. Sadly, almost one-third of them were killed or injured.

The ceremony last Friday was very moving. It was attended by students from many local schools. A traditional smoking ceremony was held and students from a number of schools, in particular Camdenville and Matraville public schools, participated in traditional dances. However, the continued disadvantage and vastly inferior living standards that indigenous people still endure today, in the twenty-first century, indicates that the battle for reconciliation is far from over. While reconciliation as a concept has taken root in our society, we have yet to cross the bridge to equality of opportunity for all Australians. It is important, when we talk about opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across our nation, that we emphasise the economic opportunities that should be available to them in this country. The rate of employment amongst Aboriginal people is still appallingly low.

For members of the Australian Labor Party, the right to work is a fundamental belief, and when our Premier and Treasurer talk about the economic strength of New South Wales and our triple-A rating, they are enforcing the right of every Australian citizen to work, and, in particular, the right of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to have more opportunity for employment. The New South Wales Government has gone some way towards improving this position: 6,000 jobs in the public sector are offered for Aboriginal employment, and that number will be increased by a further 2,200. But that is still well short of the opportunities that should be available to Aboriginal people, in particular up and down the coast, when capital works are occurring, when some communities receive opportunities and others are being left behind. Unless we fix the disadvantage suffered by Aboriginal people we will never fix any of the other problems that beset those communities. Education goes a long way but it only goes as far as employment. Education is good, but without a job to put a roof over their and provide stability and food and the opportunity for the next generation to break out of the cycle, there will be little impact on the problems that beset Aboriginal people, and the focus of government should always be towards the right to work for Aboriginal people.

The Hon. IAN WEST [3.26 p.m.]: I am pleased to speak in this debate to acknowledge National Reconciliation Week, which is held from 27 May to 3 June, the theme of which is "Reconciliation: Let's See It Through!" Members who have contributed to this debate thus far have gone to great lengths to detail the many aspects of reconciliation, its importance and shortcomings, and the need for us all to think more deeply about how we can bring it to fruition rather than just talk about it.

I take this opportunity to say something about the game of cricket, for which I have a great love, and the Aboriginal sporting hero Eddie Gilbert. As a young man in 1930s Eddie Gilbert spent his time in a mission. He had been taken from his parents and put in place where he was not able to speak his language. He was not able to see his parents for periods up to three months. This was happening at a time when a young Don Bradman was hitting a golf ball against a water tank using a golf stump, honing his skills and expertise in his journey to become the greatest of all batsmen in the hallowed game of cricket.

Eddie Gilbert was an extremely fast bowler and ultimately played for Queensland in the Sheffield Shield competition. On 6 November 1931 Eddie Gilbert had Bradman caught behind for a duck. Queensland, which had been thrashed by New South Wales the season before, had its hero, providing it with an opportunity to get back at New South Wales. Don Bradman had just come back from England after his most successful tour. He had scored hundreds and hundreds of runs and was regarded as a hero that no-one was allowed to bring down. Don Bradman was so disbelieving that a relative unknown coming off a run of a few paces could so unsettle the world's greatest batsman that the critics labelled Gilbert "a chucker". He had passed every test asked of him. He went on to play a total of 23 matches for Queensland, taking 87 wickets at an average of 28.98. He died in obscurity in 1978 after almost 30 years in a hospital in Goodna. It was pleasing that in 2007, after some 70-odd years, Eddie Gilbert at last received the accolades that he so deserved. It was only fitting that his son, Eddie Barney, was able to share the accolades that Eddie Gilbert was given at that time with cricketers of the day from Queensland, such as Test fast bowler Carl Rackemann. He was one of many great Aboriginal sportsmen who have and have not been given the appropriate accolades for their achievements.

We are all aware that the time lines of the occupation in Australian of the indigenous community goes back well beyond the 40,000 years when Aboriginal people were living in places like Lake Mungo. I pay tribute to the Wiradjuri Youth Kulture for its research and work in compiling their story in 2006, and highlighting the history that so many members have referred to. I take this opportunity to refer to the time lines as follows: 40,000 years ago Aboriginal people were living at Lake Mungo; 20,000 years ago Aboriginal people were living throughout mainland Australia and Tasmania; 10,000 years ago present-day weather patterns were established; 1,500 years ago North Coast Aboriginal people began to trade and mingle with Indonesian fishermen and continued to do so for some hundreds of years.

In 1606 Captain Willem Jansz explored the western coast of Cape York in his ship Duyfken. The Aboriginal people came into contact with Europeans for the first time. In 1697 William Dampier, an Englishman, visited the west coast of Australia. As we all know, Captain James Cook arrived in Botany Bay and took possession of the east coast of Australia for Britain under the doctrine of terra nullius. According to the international law of Europe, in the late eighteenth century there were only three ways that Britain could take possession of another country. First, if the country was uninhabited, Britain could claim and settle that country. In this case, it could claim ownership of the land. Second, if the country was already inhabited, Britain could ask for permission from the indigenous people to use some of their land. In this case, Britain could purchase land for its own use but it could not steal the land from the indigenous people. Third, if the country was inhabited, Britain could take over the land by invasion or conquest, or use some other way to defeat the country, such as a war.

However, even after winning a war, Britain would have to theoretically respect the rights of the indigenous people. I say "theoretically", because, as we know, it is a theoretical concept when one is in a position of power. It is fairly evident that a benevolent dictator determines the way that people are dealt with. Those in a position of weakness are obviously dictated to by those in a position of power. As we know, in 1788 Captain Arthur Phillip raised the Union Jack at Sydney Cove. The initial impact of European colonisation on Aboriginal people was the introduction of diseases, such as smallpox, influenza, venereal disease, typhoid, tuberculosis, pneumonia, measles and whooping cough. As a result, in excess of 50 per cent of the Eora people around Sydney passed away.

In 1816 martial law was declared. This proclamation declared martial law against Aboriginal people, who could then be shot on sight if they were armed with spears—or even unarmed—or if they were within a certain distance of the houses or settlements, as they were regarded as dangerous. In 1817 John Oxley explored the Riverina area and said that it was uninhabitable and useless to civilised man. Windradyne, a Wiradjuri man, is one of the first warriors to reject the European's treatment of the indigenous people. In 1833 the British recommended that protectors of Aborigines be appointed to determine the treatment of Aboriginal people.

From the 1840s to the 1870s European settlers made their presence clear, with disease spreading throughout the Wiradjuri communities throughout most of New South Wales. Large numbers of Aboriginal people died due to the widespread introduction of diseases. Indigenous people were forced off the land and found it more and more difficult to practise traditional customs. Children were removed from their families: They were forced to become servants and work for European settlers. In the 1880s the Camp of Mercy, or Warangesda Mission, was established near Darlington Point. Warangesda was one of many missions across New South Wales. In 1883 the New South Wales Aborigines Protection Board was established. In 1901, when Australia became a Federation, the Constitution denied citizenship, franchise and the right to military duty to Aboriginal people, Asians and Africans. Aboriginal people were not included in any census and did not have any voting rights.

In 1906 local settlement started within the Griffith area by the men who were building the canal five kilometres south-east of the present town site of Griffith. This place is known as Bagtown, after the old canvas cement bags that were used for the workers' tents. Farms were leased to prospective farmers, with most of the work in the Griffith area being held by the first settlers. In 1915 the New South Wales Aborigines Protection Board was empowered to remove Aboriginal children, without a court hearing. In 1926, following the closure of Warangesda Mission, Aboriginal families moved to Griffith and surrounding areas. Griffith was a popular place—a farming area that offered fruit picking, seasonal work, shearing and farm work. It was a large, popular gathering place and included places like Frogs Hollow.

In 1937 the First Commonwealth-State conference on native welfare was held. As a result of the conference Australia adopted assimilation as the national policy—"assimilation" meaning that all Aboriginal people would live in a similar manner and standard to the European settlers, hence rejecting traditional Aboriginal lifestyles and customs. Assimilation policies led to the devastation of Aboriginal culture and identity, and justified the removal of Aboriginal children. William Ferguson, a Wiradjuri man born at Waddi, or Darlington Point, launched the Aborigines Progressive Association in Dubbo on 27 June 1937. The association fought for equal rights for Aboriginal people and against the Government's policy of assimilation.

In 1938 William Ferguson, William Cooper and John Patten organised a Day of Mourning conference on the 150th anniversary of European occupation of Australia. William Ferguson and John Patten wrote a pamphlet entitled "Aborigines Claim Citizen Rights" and petitioned Prime Minister Lyons for a national Aboriginal policy. In 1940 the Aborigines Protection Board was abolished and the Aborigines Welfare Board was established in its place.

In the 1940s Frogs Hollow was a place where Aboriginal people gathered and lived together in huts. Aboriginal people continued to work on local farms in the Riverina area, such as in the main town of Griffith. In the years of World War II Aboriginal people gained far more farm work, as many of the farmers became soldiers, and left behind their farms and families to fight overseas. Many Aboriginal people ended up going overseas to fight for their country, as they saw it, in World War I and World War II.

In 1943 exemption certificates were introduced for Aboriginal people. State Governments decided to give citizenship rights to some Aboriginal people under certain conditions. They had to promise to give up their traditional ways, to keep away from other Aboriginal people, and to live a European lifestyle. Many Aboriginal people resented the certificates and referred to them as "dog tags". In 1949 the Convention on Genocide was ratified by Australia and came into force in 1951. Also in 1951 the Third Commonwealth-State Conference on native welfare affirmed assimilation as the aim of native welfare measures.

Between 1952 and 1975 the New South Wales Aborigines Welfare Board published Dawn and New Dawn magazines. During their time of publication the magazines were used to promote the current Government policy of assimilation and the work of the Aborigines Welfare Board. Aboriginal people used the magazines as a way to communicate and send messages to families and friends within the various areas of the Riverina, the Illawarra, Sydney and Newcastle, and other areas. Today the magazines are a valuable resource for family history research as they include details of births, deaths and marriages, as well as hundreds of photos.

In 1954 the land for Three Ways Reserve was formally established for Aboriginal families. Families moved from Frogs Hollow to Three Ways, in the Riverina-Griffith area. In 1964 the Three Ways community hall was built. A voluntary association, first called the Aboriginal Assimilation Organisation and later renamed the Aboriginal Advancement Organisation, and Apex assisted local Aboriginal families to build the Three Ways community hall. Following this, the Save the Children Fund financially supported a preschool kindergarten in the Three Ways community hall.

In 1965 Aboriginal people and students joined the Freedom Ride with Charles Perkins through north-western New South Wales. The ride highlighted the harsh discrimination in country towns, which included segregated cinemas, and the refusal of service and entry into swimming pools, hotels and clubs. Those Freedom Rides have been well researched and reported, and understood as revealing a disappointing indictment on the so-called attempts at reconciliation up until the mid-1960s and late 1970s.

In 1967 a constitutional referendum on Aboriginal rights was held, and 90 per cent of the Australian population voted to legislate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and to include them on the census. The Aborigines Welfare Board held its last meeting on 29 April 1969 and was replaced by the Aborigines Welfare Directorate of the Department of Child Welfare and Social Welfare. The patronising attitude towards the indigenous community continued.

In 1970 the last reports of Aboriginal children being forcibly removed from their families were documented. In 1972 the Aboriginal tent embassy was pitched outside Parliament House in Canberra to demonstrate for land rights. Also in that year the Commonwealth Department of Aboriginal Affairs was established. Also in 1972 the Federal Government adopted a policy of self-determination for Aboriginal people, replacing the previous insidious policy of protectionism and assimilation. On 23 August 1972 the Director General of Education approved the withdrawal of the exclusion policy. Prior to this, principals were able to defer or refuse the enrolment of Aboriginal children on the grounds of home conditions or substantial opposition.

We have now got to the stage where, whilst we have a long way to go in addressing the issue and we are not yet doing enough, we are still at least mouthing the right words. The majority of the population has the right intent, but our actions are far too slow. I hope that it will be not too long before we stop talking about this issue.

The Hon. HELEN WESTWOOD [3.47 p.m.]: I support the Hon. Penny Sharpe's motion that this House notes the focus of National Reconciliation Week in providing a national stage for reconciliation activities. National Reconciliation Week provides a national stage because it is tied to major events in the movement for reconciliation. These events are symbols of the movement for reconciliation. The date 27 May marks the anniversary of the 1967 referendum in which more than 90 per cent of Australians voted to remove clauses from the Australian Constitution that discriminated against indigenous Australians. The referendum also gave the Commonwealth Government the power to make laws on behalf of Aboriginal people, and as a result Aboriginal people were given the right to vote. They were, finally, and appropriately, considered people and citizens of Australia, and not part of the flora and fauna. I remind honourable members that that occurred just over 40 years ago. It really is hard to believe that just over 40 years ago the first Australians were not considered people or citizens of Australia.

The date 3 June marks the anniversary of the High Court's judgement in the 1992 Mabo case. The decision recognised the native title rights of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the original inhabitants of the continent and overturned the myth of terra nullius—the belief that the continent was an empty, uncivilised land before the arrival of Europeans in 1788. The events leading to the recognition of National Reconciliation Week may have taken place on our iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge, but this location is an icon for all Australians, not just for people who live in Sydney. That is why the nation was inspired. That is why the world stood and took note that we, the people of Australia, are serious about reconciliation. That is why we are so willing to support the national theme for National Reconciliation Week 2010, "Reconciliation: Let's see it through".

Like many others in this place I can recall participating in that walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge and feeling as if we were part of a significant social movement. We knew that the relationship between the first Australians, those who had come later and those who were descendants of those from other lands, was a relationship so poor that it led to such disadvantage of the first Australians. We wanted not only to reconcile with the first Australians but also to do something about changing that disadvantage. We wanted to see justice for our indigenous brothers and sisters. Many of us felt it was a real beginning. Most of us did not think it would take as long as it did to get the apology from the Federal Government that we had all hoped for, but it is so great that it finally did come about.

I embrace the sentiments of National Reconciliation Week in reminding Australians to make time to reflect, celebrate and commit, and to enjoy the reconciliation conversation. Let us think about how we can get involved in making a better future for Australia. Reconciliation is about national, popular movements but it is also about getting it real and getting it right in action. In this current financial year, for example, the New South Wales Government has invested $10 million under the Aboriginal Communities Development Program to build and repair housing in Bourke, Brewarrina, Enngonia, Lightning Ridge, Moree, Welmoringle, Muli Muli, Tabulam, Dareton, Menindee, Wilcannia, Condobolin, Toomala, Boggabilla and Kempsey.

The New South Wales Government has signed a 25-year, $200 million partnership with the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council to build and upgrade water and sewerage projects in remote communities. To further strengthen our partnerships with Aboriginal communities the Government has invested much to support cultural events, languages, community partnerships, remote service agreements, the safety of children and their families, and better cooperation between communities, and State and national governments. National Reconciliation Week is being matched by national action, not least through our determination to meet the goals of the Council of Australian Governments to reduce Aboriginal disadvantage in health, education and life expectancy.

It is important at this time to reflect upon the gap between the socioeconomic experiences of indigenous Australians and non-indigenous Australians. We often talk about the 17-year gap in life expectancy, the levels of chronic illness in the indigenous communities across Australia, accessibility to appropriate health care and health services, and the real gaps in the rates for maternal health and wellbeing, and infant mortality. There are still gaps in housing and quality of housing for indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. Other speakers have also mentioned employment, education and income. An area of real concern to me is the difference between the number of indigenous and non-indigenous Australians who are incarcerated under our criminal justice system. Prison populations for both males and females are growing and, regretfully, that significant growth has occurred due to the number of indigenous men and women in our jails. We should all be concerned about this imbalance and consider what we can do to address that. I am also concerned about violence committed against Aboriginal women and children—an area in which much work is needed.

National Reconciliation Week is a time for us to reflect on the sad history of the gap between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. It is also, just as importantly, a time for us to celebrate and learn about indigenous culture, indigenous languages, and the history of the various indigenous communities throughout the nation. Over many years I have attended celebrations through various local councils and school communities. For example, a public school located in the middle of Greenacre—an area that probably has one of this country's most ethnically diverse communities—has a group of indigenous students. Those students take every opportunity to share their culture, particularly their indigenous art, with other students at that school who come from a range of ethnic and linguistic backgrounds.

It is a delight to visit the school and observe children whose parents have come from Vietnam, Lebanon or Afghanistan learning about Aboriginal languages, participating in or watching a smoking ceremony, or listening to a didgeridoo being played. I did not have those experiences as a child. Because our schools offer such good education programs these days it often strikes me that today's students, even if they come from a non-English-speaking background, are educated about Aboriginal culture and languages in a way that we had no experience of as children of the same age. Today's approach is a great improvement. Clearly it is through learning and gaining an understanding of each other's culture and life experiences that real reconciliation will occur. Often we have much more in common than that which separates and differentiates us.

Most local government areas, even in communities as diverse as Bankstown, have a local Aboriginal advisory group. Bankstown has an advisory group and an Elders group, and a number of young indigenous artists are involved in dance, visual arts and music. I cannot miss the opportunity to mention that wonderful indigenous singer, Casey Donovan, who hails from Bankstown. She is a great role model for other young indigenous people in the area. Casey has an equally talented brother, although his talents lie in basketball.

The Hon. Christine Robertson: You were not supposed to talk about sport.

The Hon. HELEN WESTWOOD: I acknowledge the interjection of the Hon. Christine Robertson. That will be my only contribution about sport, except to mention another cultural exchange that occurs through the Bankstown Sister City Program—that is, a tour by Bankstown junior rugby league teams to Broken Hill. As Broken Hill is closer to Adelaide than Sydney, most members of the community are lovers of that other game. Some people think it is better than rugby league, but that is not my opinion. Because so few local kids in Broken Hill play rugby league, the Bankstown teams play against indigenous kids from surrounding areas, such as, Wilcannia and Menindee.

For the young people from Bankstown, who are of Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern and Anglo backgrounds, this is often their first experience of meeting an indigenous person from a remote part of Australia. They also experience the disparity in facilities, training regimes and access to coaches. This has led to the establishment of a program that involves St Christopher's Junior Rugby League Football Club at Revesby sending equipment to Broken Hill and young players from Broken Hill having home stays with young people in Bankstown. These visits to Bankstown are a culture shock for the young people of Broken Hill. This cultural exchange between these two cities exposes the young people to elements of indigenous and non-indigenous cultures that they would not otherwise experience.

Local communities are involved in many activities that are taken for granted or are not mentioned on the national stage. They contribute a great deal to our awareness of indigenous communities and their needs, and fill a gap in the experience of indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. The young people from Bankstown were startled to discover that the young indigenous people did not own a pair of football boots and played in bare feet. It was beyond their comprehension that a young man of 16 or 18 years of age did not have enough money to buy a pair of football boots. That is a common experience for these indigenous young people. Our young people in Bankstown have taken a great deal away from these exchanges. Their experiences have helped them reflect upon the social disadvantage experienced by indigenous Australians.

Another element of the relationship between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians that has changed in recent times is the revival of indigenous languages. I see it at local events. Today, indigenous languages are spoken at most events held during National Reconciliation Week and at other events that focus on indigenous communities. When I went to school we were not taught about Aboriginal languages and dialects. We had no knowledge of them. These languages are now being revived and passed from one generation to another. It is important to remember that we have much to be proud of and to celebrate during National Reconciliation Week, including the relationship between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. We have come a long way, although we still have a long way to go.

Great improvements have been made in the relationship between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians and in many of the social indicators and socioeconomic outcomes. In relation to tobacco smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, which are major health risk factors, the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows a decline in indigenous smoking rates. However, alcohol consumption remains steady. We have some way to go in that regard. The data reveals a number of positive findings in relation to maternal health and factors affecting childhood development, including high rates of breastfeeding and physical activity among indigenous children. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages and cultures are being maintained. We would like to see an increase in their observance, particularly the languages. There was a time when we saw a decline in, and a loss of, languages, culture and knowledge. The awareness and the pride that is now apparent in indigenous communities will ensure that their culture and languages are maintained, shared and valued. This is another reflection of the improvements that have been made by us all. [Time expired.]

The Hon. CHRISTINE ROBERTSON [4.07 p.m.]: I acknowledge the Elders past and present of the Eora peoples as custodians of the land that we are meeting on. I support the motion of the Hon. Penny Sharpe, which recognises reconciliation and the positive steps towards reconciliation taken by Australia as a nation and by New South Wales. Today I will speak specifically about a program initiated by Aboriginal health coordinator Val Dahlstrom in Moree during the late 1990s and early this century. Val always says that we have to start with the children. Individual midwives and Aboriginal health workers in Moree got together to work out a way to access antenatal services for Aboriginal women. On many occasions the women were presenting for delivery, having never seen a doctor or had their pregnancy assessed. This has proven to be a very important indicator of outcome for mothers and babies.

Previously, the outcome for Aboriginal babies and their mothers was poor. Unfortunately, sometimes it still is. As a previous speaker said, we still have a long way to go. In the past, babies were incredibly underweight or stillborn. Unfortunately, in the area where I worked in the north west of the State quite a few women presented with syphilitic babies, who were either stillborn or had appalling complications that affect the child forever. We fought and scrambled for money and we won Aboriginal health workers being attached to Maternal and Infant Health Service teams.

This joint program grew from strength to strength. For example, the Aboriginal Maternal and Infant Health Service has grown from having seven programs funded in 2000 to being available now in more than 50 locations across New South Wales. The 17.5 services that were funded as part of the expansion have been implemented, with the final two sites commencing operation in the Penrith and Blacktown areas from 6 April 2010. It is incredibly exciting that a program initiated by Aboriginal persons has gone from strength to strength. That has occurred not just because it is a good program but because Aboriginal people and white people—including those in the professional services—are learning to talk and work together. This is due to the power of the reconciliation movement and the Closing the Gap projects that have gone forward.

More and more health service providers want to learn, and have learned, to work with and for Aboriginal people. That major systemic and attitudinal change has occurred over the past 10 years or so. I admit that there are still times when I am shocked by community and/or government decisions that smack of blatant discrimination in the belief that Aboriginal people are somehow less than non-indigenous people. But every time an Aboriginal person has a happy and healthy childhood, succeeds at school, gets a job and challenges the perceptions of the norm, we are one step further in the reconciliation challenge. That does not mean Aboriginal people should become nice, compliant, gentle creatures who fit into our perceptions of being easy to live and work with; it just means they should grow up normally, facing their own challenges and understanding how to meet them in society. I am not one usually affected by compliments—I normally treat such things with a fair degree of scepticism—but an Aboriginal woman once said to me, "Some of youse guvvers are all right, you know". More people need to feel that, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, and, with the kind of work that is happening in some areas, they will.

The Aboriginal Maternal and Infant Health Service was finally recognised and implemented in 2001. The Aboriginal people in the Moree area made it grow, and have continued to do so. There was a recent large expansion of services, including in the Hunter-New England area. Services have been created, enhanced or supported inside the area health service. I did not hear the entire speech but during this debate one member bagged the health service process and Aboriginal health, which is bizarre because the powerful health service project in Aboriginal health involves Aboriginal people dealing with their own health issues and ensuring that the area health services adapt to deliver proper services equally to everyone.

Greater Newcastle—that is Raymond Terrace, Toronto, Nelson Bay, Karuah and Morisset—has access to the Aboriginal Maternal and Infant Health Service, as does Maitland, Cessnock, Kurri Kurri, Muswellbrook, Scone, Singleton, Taree, Foster, Quirindi, Armidale, Inverell, Tingha, Delungra, Glen Innes, Narrabri, Wee Waa, Pilliga, Tamworth, Gunnedah and Moree, which includes Toomelah in Boggabilla and several other communities around Moree. One of the big advantages of this project is that maternity services that used to run a clinic on the side at the hospital, and mostly looked after the delivery rooms and the hospital beds, have now become an integral component of community services. The maternity services go into the community, to the villages and towns, so that people do not have to get on a bus and travel elsewhere to line up in some clinic. The maternity services employ Aboriginal health workers who make home visits if a woman has a problem accessing the service.

The overarching aim of the Aboriginal Maternal and Infant Health Service is to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal women and their babies during pregnancy and birth, by providing accessible and culturally appropriate antenatal and early postnatal services. It also promotes healthy pregnancies through community development initiatives. The term "community development" has lots of difficult connotations. If community development is to work in an Aboriginal context then Aboriginal people must not only participate fully but also play a large part in the initiation process. One of the reasons this maternal and infant health program has done so well is that Aboriginal people had a part in initiating it.

The Aboriginal health education officers have their own powerful group that shares skills and information. I remember when Val and her team went to Sydney to present the project to their peers in Aboriginal health—there was some sort of contest about quality. The maternity health workers from Moree, who do not often get kudos for the wonderful work they do, had collected enough data in the early days to prove that their work was making a difference—particularly in respect of the indicator of getting pregnant women to see a doctor before 19 weeks gestation, which is not the norm in some communities. That indicator made a difference very quickly. More pregnant women were consulting a doctor at the appropriate time, and it became something to boast about. The Aboriginal health workers took the project back to their own communities, and that is one of the reasons it grew. It did not grow because the department said it was a good indicator; it grew because the initiators of the service across the State thought it looked good and started to fight for it. It was an on-the-ground, proper reconciliation-type project.

Having worked in health in the north-west of New South Wales, I know that people get sick of the creeps in the health sector who run around getting a tick for doing the Aboriginal component of their work. They will turn up to some town or village, do half an hour's work and get a tick for working with Aboriginal people. There is a community on the border—I will not name it—to which health workers travel to do their two hours work or whatever with individuals or groups. But when they get there they find representatives of five Queensland departments, probably four New South Wales departments and a few Commonwealth ones chucked in, all getting brownie points for doing their day's work with Aboriginal people. The community gets very confused. It does not ask for those services; everyone goes there just to get their public service ticks.

That happens under governments of all political persuasions. It is all about getting a tick for working with Aboriginal people. The community to which I referred has a population of about 150 but a perpetual stream of government departments go there to collect brownie points. It is disgraceful and appalling. In some instances the community takes over and tells the ones who are rubbish to get lost. Other communities realise that if they hook onto every department they will get more resources. Those are the interesting side effects of the bizarre processes that public servants use to get ticks.

Care is provided in a partnership model by midwives and Aboriginal health workers or Aboriginal health education officers with Aboriginal women and their families. The Aboriginal Maternal and Infant Health Strategy evaluation final report released in 2005 found that the program was highly successful in improving health outcomes for Aboriginal mothers and babies. The program has undergone, and continues to undergo, considerable evaluation. The New South Wales Midwives Data Collection and Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages is vital in documenting this program and indicators have been included so that information about Aboriginal people is collected.

I will now take a totally political sidetrack—but definitely not a party-political one. While doing research for my contribution to this debate I re-examined the data on Aboriginal births across New South Wales. Some years ago the accuracy of the data on Aboriginality produced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics improved. That happened because the bureau invested a huge amount of money employing individuals to work with Aboriginal communities to pick up accurate and realistic information. But suddenly the data started to change. Different regions started to report increased Aboriginal populations. I thought that was strange and assumed that people were moving. We went through a nonsensical period in western New South Wales when it was said that Aboriginal people were being bussed out there to avoid trouble. It was political nonsense.

However, the situation got more and more confusing. I re-examined the Australian Bureau of Statistics data and how it was collected. A bureau document states that data relating to Aboriginals was changed because it was not accurate in certain areas. Suddenly, the data indicated that western Sydney and the North Coast had the largest Aboriginal populations. I thought that was strange so I examined the midwives' data. I know that this is a total digression from the motion before the House, but it is incredibly important information and we are talking about reconciliation. This is not rubbish; it is reality.

The midwives' data for 2005 indicates that in the Hunter-New England region—which, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, had the largest Aboriginal population in the State—there were 611 Aboriginal births, in western Sydney there were 270 and on the North Coast there were 357. It would appear that western Sydney and the North Coast have a large number of very young or very old Aboriginal people or a predominance of Aboriginal men. This data is very confusing. I intend to write to the Australian Bureau of Statistics asking for a re-evaluation of the process and the introduction of some form of checking so that we get a proper picture. That is the only way that government services and Aboriginal people can work together to ensure equitable service delivery across New South Wales. I apologise for this digression, but if we are talking reconciliation we should talk about reality, not the nonsense peddled by one group or another from the community or from government.

The data indicates that more women attend their first ante-natal session before they are 20 weeks pregnant. There has also been a significant reduction in the number of babies born preterm. Everyone knows that that is not only a dreadful start in life but also a terrible impost on health services. More women also initiated breastfeeding and more were still breastfeeding when asked again six weeks after the baby was born. I first started working with and for Aboriginals 20 years ago when it was not seen as the norm to breastfeed. Since then there has been a massive cultural change, and that has occurred because people are working together and Aboriginals like the programs being offered. In areas where that has happened there has been a reduction in the rate of premature births and so on, and the New South Wales Government has built on that success.

Premier Keneally and the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Barry O'Farrell, today signed the incredibly important Statement of Intent with regard to closing the health gap between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. The intent is to develop a comprehensive, long-term plan of action to achieve equality of health and life expectancy between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians by 2030. That is a huge task. It is also intended to ensure the provision of primary healthcare services and health infrastructure capable of bridging the gap in health standards. The concept of bridging the gap is now central to our efforts because Aboriginal people own it and are fighting for it. The time frame for these goals is 2018. The aim is to ensure full participation of Aboriginal Australians in addressing their health needs and to work together to address social determinants that impact on health equality for Aboriginal Australians. The Statement of Intent is being held by the Speaker, and members can sign it if they wish. It has been signed by the leaders of both major parties, so it belongs to us all.

I am particularly proud and honoured to live in Kamilaroi or Gomeroi country, and I respect the Elders past and present and their custodianship of that land. I have been a very proud worker for the Kamilaroi, or Gomeroi, people for a long time. Gomeroi country is a large geographical area. Some families use the term " Gomeroi" and some say "Kamilaroi". Anyone going to the area should be careful to use the right term because it is offensive to use the wrong one. I wish everybody well in their reconciliation efforts, particularly those who need the power and who feel healthy and strong enough to challenge our attitudes.

The Hon. MICHAEL GALLACHER (Leader of the Opposition) [4.28 p.m.]: I make a brief contribution to this very important debate. Being in Parliament and representing a portfolio area or regional area is a great responsibility but also a great opportunity to build relationships with local communities. In the Coalition I have responsibility for the Central Coast and Hunter regions. Equally as important is my responsibility as shadow Minister for Police. That role takes me across the State and gives me an opportunity to visit Aboriginal communities and to talk with Aboriginal representatives. Over the past few years I have had an opportunity to get to know members of the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council, the Koompartoo Aboriginal Land Council in the Lake Macquarie area, and the Mindaribba Aboriginal Land Council.

I bring to the attention of the House a great advocate for the Mindaribba Aboriginal Land Council and Aboriginal communities throughout the country—Mr Rick Griffiths. Members are probably aware that the Mindaribba Aboriginal Land Council was established in 1985. Rick has been a very strong advocate for equity, rights and respect for Aboriginal communities, and he has fought for greater opportunities for Aboriginals to participate in planning not only their own future but also the future of the communities in which they interact. Rick has been a long-term fighter for Aboriginal rights. He is currently confronting a health struggle and it is extremely important that the Aboriginal community that is supporting him understands that the wider community recognises the contribution he has made, and will continue to make. I visited him last week in hospital and the only disappointing thing about the visit was that he was wearing a Balmain beanie, not a South Sydney beanie. He was very happy with his team's result on the weekend.

One has to recognise that he has an understanding of the issues that affect the Aboriginal community throughout the Hunter. He has the respect of his own community, as well as of many in the wider community of the Hunter. This is an opportunity to wish him well with his struggle. I am sure he will come through with flying colours. I wish him, his wife and family all the very best in the ensuing months.

The Hon. JOHN DELLA BOSCA [4.29 p.m.]: I intend to speak briefly on this matter because a number of excellent contributions have covered many of the issues that any reasonable person would seek to canvass in support of the events of today and the motion before this House. A great deal of satisfaction resides in today's events in the other place relating to health and a long-term programmatic commitment to bridging the gap. That is of critical importance. It is real and practical, and the most important thing about it—and I say this without any compunction given that I am a well-recognised partisan in politics—is the bipartisanship involved in the undertaking. That gives us real grounds for hope, after almost 220 years of what is essentially a sad story.

I speak as a non-indigenous Australian, and it is a tale of oppression, of sadness, of loss and of great deprivation. Many Aboriginal people and their communities continue to suffer as a result of political and social realities. This great place in which we all live—the place we know as our nation, Australia—is not as great as it should be and could be for our indigenous Australians. Occasions of bipartisanship have been the only times of real, significant, lasting and meaningful progress. The referendum relating to recognition of indigenous people is probably a classic example. However, throughout the history of this sometimes very sad and sometimes very happy struggle, there is the idea that all sides of politics can find the ground to support the actions required to bring about justice and an appropriate response to the deprivation and suffering of indigenous people, as well as bring to bear the dignity to which they are entitled.

The most difficult thing about the Australian situation for those of us who are not indigenous to embrace—for my generation anyway—was the notion of apology. Many of us grew up in an education system, as great and as liberal as it was, that continued to explain to us in the 1960s and 1970s, and even into the 1980s, that the Aboriginal people simply capitulated their land. As someone quoted from Paul Keating's great Redfern speech, that is probably one of the greatest insults to the Aboriginal people. It is now a widely acknowledged historical fact—whether you are a black armband historian or otherwise—that Aboriginal people were standing on what we subsequently called Port Jackson or Sydney Harbour singing out, "Wirra, wirra!" which was the local Aboriginal dialect for "Go away!" The subsequent long struggle of Aboriginal people needs to be celebrated in our history; we should not be embarrassed about it or run away from it. As I said earlier, the most difficult thing for non-indigenous Australians to embrace was the apology, an acknowledgement that our great contemporary post-settler civilisation was built on top of, and sometimes at considerable cost to, a great indigenous culture, some of which has been irretrievably lost because of our negligence and brutality. We need to apologise for that but, having acknowledged it, we need to go forward with some confidence and optimism.

The last point I would like to make is that all of this has happened only because of struggle. Essentially it has happened because of the struggle of Aboriginal people themselves. That is often unacknowledged, even in contemporary political debates. I mention a matter in which I take a bit of personal or organisational pride. Many people do not realise—although the name at least has become part of the symbol of heroism in the contemporary Aboriginal struggle—that Eddie Mabo was originally radicalised and gained his interest in social affairs and eventually in his own people's affairs as a result of his experience as what would otherwise be called a junior official in the Queensland railways union. Eddie Mabo was just one of many people who learned the importance of struggle and of using the institutions of our society to gain justice for his people. Ironically, many people also do not realise that Eddie Mabo lost his case. The case was brought by Mabo and others, and the "others" succeeded and Mabo did not. However, that did not matter. The struggle and the ambition to make sure that Aboriginal people wiped out forever the legal fiction of terra nullius and established the notion of pre-existing ownership as a legal fact in our sovereignty was important to us all, not just to Eddie Mabo, his family and the others in the Mabo case.

I also want to acknowledge the marvellous men and women—and I will not mention any but one, because there have been so many and I have had the privilege to know so many of them over the years—who are activists in the Aboriginal cause. Today I mention one I became personally fairly close to over the years and who is now deceased—Bob Bellear, who became one of Australia's first and most distinguished Aboriginal jurists. When I met him he was a radical student at university, just enrolling in law. I mention Bob because he was an example of somebody who learned the importance of struggle and, eventually, of using the political forms of our democracy to advance the cause of his people. Again I commend the Hon. Penny Sharpe's motion to the House and acknowledge the great work of the Premier and the Leader of the Opposition today in signing into intention the bridging of the gap in that most important area of human health for Aboriginal citizens.

The Hon. PENNY SHARPE (Parliamentary Secretary) [4.36 p.m.], in reply: I thank members for their contributions to this debate. Parliament has come so far in the 10 years since the beginning of some of the formal apologies. It is true that not long ago a motion like this would have been contested. The fact there is such unanimity today demonstrates how far we have come. Members today have touched on a myriad of issues that impact on Aboriginal people in this State and country. People talked passionately about the need to close the gap on health, education and employment. They have spoken particularly about maternal health, self-determination, self-management, work to address violence and the contribution of many Aboriginal people in our communities.

No-one can doubt that the disadvantage of Aboriginal people is our collective shame, and that is why I was so pleased today that the Premier and the Leader of the Opposition signed an historic agreement to pledge to work in a bipartisan way to close the 17-year life expectancy gap within 20 years. It is a rare thing in politics to see such bipartisanship; it is very welcome to see our leaders collectively committing all of us to do better and to work with a single focus to overcome what is our national shame.

The agreement commits the New South Wales Parliament to work with the non-government sector and the community to improve life expectancy, health and equality. The joint agreement runs to quite a few dot points. I will not read them all into Hansard but I will refer to three of them. The first is the development of a long-term plan. The second relates to ensuring that primary healthcare services and health infrastructure are capable of bridging the gap. Without those services on the ground it is impossible to move this issue forward. The third point, and the most important, is ensuring the full participation of Aboriginal people in addressing their own health needs. Good healthcare comes from listening to the people whose health you seek to assist. People know themselves better than anyone else knows them. If we listen to them and support them, we will get better results. It is also important to acknowledge that we will see other signatories to the new agreement, including the Minister for Health and the chief executive and chair of the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council.

Close the Gap has been a long-running campaign. I acknowledge especially the work of Aboriginal people, who have refused to accept their present circumstances and that we should pretend to do nothing about them. Aboriginal people have demanded that governments act. They have worked extremely hard with many of the organisations we have talked about today that have lobbied and worked with people in the community. They have built a solid, strong coalition of people across Australia, indigenous and non-indigenous, who rightly state that a 17-year gap between the life expectancy of non-indigenous people and that of indigenous people is simply unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

Significant funding is provided for this, but if it were simply a matter of throwing money at the problem, one would like to think that the problem would have been fixed by now. It is far more complex. Today's joint statement by the Leader of the Opposition and the Premier is an excellent step forward. I commend Oxfam, which has run the Close the Gap campaign over a long period. Finally, I thank members for their contributions. It is a rare time in this place that we actually get to reflect on some of these issues, and that opportunity highlights the importance of private members' day in this House. I commend the motion to the House.

Question—That the motion be agreed to—put and resolved in the affirmative.

Motion agreed to.

Motion by the Hon. Tony Catanzariti agreed to:

That standing and sessional orders be suspended to allow a motion to be moved forthwith that Private Member's Business item No. 289 outside the Order of Precedence, relating to Italian Republic Day, be called on forthwith.

Motion by the Hon. Tony Catanzariti agreed to:

That Private Members' Business item No. 289 outside the Order of Precedence be called on forthwith.

The Hon. TONY CATANZARITI [4.42 p.m.]: I move:

That this House:

(a) notes that 2 June 2010 marks Italian Republic Day, commemorating the day when Italy was proclaimed a republic in 1946;

(b) acknowledges the longstanding bond that Australians share with Italy, in particular through the contributions of Australians of Italian heritage who have enriched the business, social, sporting and cultural life of New South Wales;

(c) recognises that over 55,000 people living in New South Wales were born in Italy, and nearly a quarter of a million have Italian heritage, and

(d) wishes all Australians who share a connection with Italy well for this proud celebration.

The Italian-Australian community is one of the oldest communities in Australia and has been deeply involved with the artistic, professional, business and social life of New South Wales. Ours is a nation populated almost exclusively by migration. The community of New South Wales comprises migrants from 200 countries and 80 different language backgrounds. Much of that migration has been forced by circumstance—the coercion of penal transportation, the poverty of opportunity in nineteenth century Scotland and Ireland, and the tragedy of wars in Europe and Asia and lately the Middle East and Africa.

Against this backdrop, the success of Australian multiculturalism is breathtaking. Although forged by migrants seeking solace, our nation has not been timid in spirit. Although populated by those who know tragedy firsthand, we have avoided old alliances and old feuds. The multiculturalism of our society is its underlying strength. It stokes our industry, our innovation and our creativity as a nation. Influences from all over the world and our indigenous heritage have come together to make New South Wales one of the most vibrant, welcoming and interesting places in the world to live. The exchange of cultures and ideas enriches our society. It provides a diversity of knowledge and skill that few countries can hope for.

Our diversity is a great asset, linking New South Wales to communities all over the globe and making for a range of international cultural, commercial and educational partnerships, which deliver real benefits to our people and our economy. All this helps our relatively small population to punch well above its weight on the world stage. When we think of particular communities that have underscored the development of a vibrant and diverse New South Wales, the Italian community must be at the top of the list.

Australians share a longstanding bond with Italy. I note that over 55,000 people living in New South Wales were born in Italy and nearly a quarter of a million have Italian heritage. In addition, more than 87,000 people in New South Wales speak the Italian language at home. All this gives the Italian community a very high profile and a position of great significance in our society. In fact, much about Australian culture and lifestyle came as a result of Italian influence. Focal points of Italian culture and cuisine, like Norton Street in Leichhardt, with its string of restaurants, coffee shops and the very popular Italian Forum, remind us that the contributions of Italian migrants are integral to our lifestyle. Major festivals like Primo Italiano in East Sydney, Ferragosto in Five Dock and Viva Leichhardt attract tens of thousands of people and are very much mainstream Sydney events.

Meanwhile, we are well aware of the enormous contribution of Italian migrants to our construction and engineering achievements, our built environment and national infrastructure, as well as to fashion, art and hospitality. Indeed, the key role that those of Italian background have played in the development and international position of Australia was nicely demonstrated by the fact that last weekend saw the Italian Republic Day celebrations held at Club Marconi, a bastion of Italian culture and cuisine in western Sydney and an institution named after the man who first connected Australia to the world via radio in 1930.

Two stories of Italian migration to New South Wales demonstrate the character of these migrants. The first is the story of Italian migration to the New South Wales North Coast. In the late 1880s immigration schemes were popular with rural Europeans looking for a better life than what were miserable conditions in their native lands. One such scheme, among several others, was organised by a Frenchman, the Marquis de Ray, to colonise various places in the Pacific, and in particular an island that is now known as Papua New Guinea. At first the governments of both Italy and France were suspicious and forbade the voyages, but later agreed when Marquis de Ray found alternative routes. In July 1880 one of the Marquis de Ray's expeditions left Barcelona on board the ship India to found the colony of New France to the south of New Guinea. The group consisted of some 300 Italians, mainly from the Veneto region of Italy, who had paid substantial sums to the Marquis to join his scheme.

When they arrived in October 1880, the new immigrants found an inhospitable climate with a lack of food, which soon claimed the lives of many. The 200 or so survivors of the original group decided that they must leave for their own wellbeing and commandeered the ship India to take them to a more hospitable environment. The India group only made it to the French colony of New Caledonia. The survivors refused to stay and the New South Wales Government was persuaded to take the immigrants as refugees. The 200 survivors arrived in Sydney on 7 April 1881. Subsequently many but not all of the survivors went to live in northern New South Wales where they settled on lands provided by the Government, near Woodburn in the Richmond Valley. In 1885 they established New Italy, building houses, a church, a school and a community hall in traditional regional styles. In 1906 silk products that they sent to the Milan Trade Fair won first prize at that event. Generations later their descendants built a New Italy museum to document the immigration and settlement history of this group of Italians.

The museum was officially opened in September 1988 by the then Minister for Natural Resources, the Hon. Ian Causley, MP, and the Italian Consulate-General for New South Wales, Dr Guido Scalici. In mid April every year the museum celebrates the arrival of these pioneers to the region. In August 2002 the New South Wales Government added the New Italy settlement site and the New Italy school site near Woodburn to the State Heritage Register for their cultural significance to the people of New South Wales.

The second story I wish to record is that of the genesis of Sydney's metropolitan Italian community in Leichhardt. In the late nineteenth century British and Irish immigrants were the first to settle in the Sydney suburb of Leichhardt. Later, when the suburb became the focus for post-war European immigration, it became known across Australia for its multicultural community. Many Italians arrived in Australia during this period and settled in working-class Leichhardt; they were drawn to the nucleus of an already formed Italian community, cheap housing and the availability of unskilled work.

In 1945 a Capuchin Order arrived in Leichhardt to attend to the religious needs of the community and was given the parish of St Fiacre. The Capuchin friars assisted immigrants with their housing and employment, as well as with sponsorship and the finding of proxy brides. They also established an Italian language newspaper, La Fiamma, which is still operating in Leichhardt's Norton Street. The building also houses Rete Italia, the Italian Radio Network in Australia. Until the 1960s, large concrete, terrazzo and excavation firms owned by De Martin and Gasparini, Cazac, Bayutti, Melocco and Fantuz were among those who gave employment to their fellow countrymen. These people, with strong traditions of hard work, family cohesiveness, and a will to succeed, gave the area its enormous economic and cultural impact.

The legacy of Italian settlement and the community's continuing contribution have made Leichhardt the "Little Italy" it is today. Most businesses in Norton and Marion streets, with few exceptions, are Italian. Restaurants, patisseries, menswear stores, children's clothing stores, shoe shops and bridal salons all boast a distinctive Italian style. Contemporary expressions of Italian heritage can be seen in the redevelopment of cafes in Norton and Marion streets, run by second-generation Italian-Australians. This heritage is also seen in the Italian Forum, built in the heart of Norton Street; the new Norton Street premises of Co.As.It., a focus for Italian cultural experiences; and the number of organisations that coordinate Italian cultural events and activities in the area. One such event is the Italian Festa on Norton, which is held each year in March. The event is a colourful celebration of music, food and fun—a time when Norton Street is closed to traffic from Marion Street to Pioneer Park and crowds exceed 100,000.

New South Wales boasts significant links in trade and industry with Italy. Italy is New South Wales's eleventh-largest market for merchandise exports and its largest export market in Europe. Italy is the world's seventh-largest economy. The Italian Consulate-General and the Italian Trade Commission have offices in Sydney. Sydney is home to the Australian headquarters of many Italian investors in the areas of food, vehicles, banking, chemicals and telecommunications. These include Bacardi-Martini and Zanetti-Ferrero for food, Fiat for vehicles and Telecom Italia for telecommunications. The Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Sydney was founded in 1922 and is the oldest and largest Italian Chamber of Commerce in Australia.

Australia boasts many significant people of Italian heritage, and I now take the opportunity to formally acknowledge their contribution to our society by incorporating their names in the parliamentary record. In the arts we have singers such as Tina Arena, Joe Dolce and Natalie Imbruglia; great actors like Vince Colosimo and Anthony La Paglia; comedians like Chas Licciardello from the Chaser, and Vince Sorrenti; and authors like Melina Marchetta, author of Looking for Alibrandi.

The Hon. Melinda Pavey: What about Maria Venuti?

The Hon. TONY CATANZARITI: Marie Venuti is a lovely person, and a very good friend of my son.

Reverend the Hon. Dr Gordon Moyes: What about Joe Tripodi?

The Hon. TONY CATANZARITI: In the political sphere, we are thankful for the contributions, from both sides of the aisle, of Angela D'Amore, Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, Morris Iemma, Sandra Nori, Frank Sartor, Con Sciacca and Joe Tripodi, as well as, in our own House, myself, the Hon. John Della Bosca, the Hon. Marie Ficarra and, of course, our esteemed President.

The Hon. Melinda Pavey: You have forgotten Adrian Piccoli.

The Hon. TONY CATANZARITI: And Adrian Piccoli in the other House. Indeed, there are quite a few others.

The Hon. Melinda Pavey: And Matthew Mason-Cox.

The Hon. Marie Ficarra: Matthew's grandmother is from the olive isles.

The Hon. TONY CATANZARITI: There are many others. The Italian community in Australia has given the nation Supreme Court justices in Victoria and Queensland—the Hon. Bernard Bongiorno and Angelo Vasta, respectively—as well as a host of prominent lawyers, businesspeople, sportspeople, entrepreneurs, and public servants, including the New South Wales Commissioner of Police, Andrew Scipione. I am proud that, recognising that close connection between Italy and New South Wales, the New South Wales Government has actively sought to celebrate Italian culture and forge stronger bonds between our community and the nation of Italy.

I will recount some of the key initiatives undertaken by the New South Wales Government in this area over recent years. In November 2009 the then New South Wales Minister for Citizenship, the Hon. Virginia Judge, met visiting Senator Michele Lorio, Premier of the Molise region in Italy, and his entourage. In July 2009 the then New South Wales Premier attended the final fundraising dinner on behalf of the victims of the L'Aquila earthquake in Abruzzo, hosted by the Australian Abruzzo Earthquake Appeal Fund through its New South Wales executive committee and chaired by the Hon. Morris Iemma, former Premier of New South Wales.

In May 2009 the then New South Wales Premier met with the Hon. Adolfo Urso, Deputy Minister for Economic Development in Italy, at a courtesy call to discuss business issues. Visiting Minister Urso also met with the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in late April 2009. In July 2008 the then New South Wales Minister for Small Business, Regulatory Reform, and Ports and Waterways, shared a special dinner hosted by the Consulate General of Italy in Sydney, Mr Benedetto Latteri, in honour of the visiting Italian delegation for World Youth Day.

In April 2007 the New South Wales Government was represented by Ms Angela D'Amore, MP, Parliamentary Secretary and member for Drummoyne, at a welcome luncheon for Lieutenant General Goffredo Mencagli, Commander-General of Italian Armed Police, hosted by the Sydney branch of the Italian National Association of Armed Police. In April 2006 the then New South Wales Premier met in the Vatican with His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI and key Vatican officials to discuss the hosting of World Youth Day in July 2008. During the visit the then New South Wales Premier also met Italian political and business leaders with a view to promoting New South Wales.

In March 2006 the then New South Wales Premier launched the Italian Parliamentary Friendship Group. In 2005 Ms Megan Gale, Sydney model and the face of David Jones, was appointed as tourism ambassador to Italy by the Australian Tourism Commission. In 2004 the Hon. Roberto Formigoni, regional leader in Lombardy, Italy, visited New South Wales where he met with the then New South Wales Premier and held high-level trade and business talks. In September 2003 the New South Wales Government signed a Trade and Investment Facilitation Agreement with Professor Giancarlo Elia Valori, President of the Union of Industrialists of Rome.

Italian Republic Day—the Festa Della Repubblica—is celebrated every year on 2 June. It marks the historic referendum of 1946 that marked the peaceful conclusion of the monarchy of the House of Savoy and the birth of the modern Italian state. The referendum passed with almost 55 per cent of the nationwide vote. Umberto II, who had been king for less than a month, was no longer Head of State. From that moment on, sovereignty lay with the people. The House of Savoy, founded by Humbert the White-Handed in the eleventh century, was fittingly brought to a close under his namesake Umberto.

Pursuant to sessional orders business interrupted to permit a motion to adjourn the House if desired.

Item of business set down as an order of the day for a future day.

Motion by the Hon. Penny Sharpe agreed to:

That this House at its rising today do adjourn until Tuesday 8 June 2010 at 2.30 p.m.

The Hon. PENNY SHARPE (Parliamentary Secretary) [5.00 p.m.]: I move:

That this House do now adjourn.

Mr IAN COHEN [5.00 p.m.]: I raise an issue of great importance to us all, particularly to our younger generations. We live in a world that is increasingly polluted by toxic chemicals that invade our most private spaces. We have lost sight of the checks and balances that keep us, our families and our children safe from toxic substances that have the capacity to cause severe illness and place an unmanageable burden on our health system. In the 1960s Rachael Carson sounded some of the early warning bells about the deadly perils of poisoning our land and food supplies in the name of efficiency, but today we live far closer to the source of poisons than we did five decades ago. Today we have people such as Rick Smith and Bruce Lourie, authors of the recently released book Slow Death by Rubber Duck, who are showing us firsthand the dangers of allowing dangerous chemicals to enter our household items, food supply and body.

The fact remains that many substances known to be toxic, carcinogenic and mutagenic are present in food and drink containers, cosmetics, cooking utensils, medical treatments, cleaning products and many foods. Hormone disrupting chemicals can lead to reproductive defects, reduced fertility, and neurological, behavioural and developmental problems; carcinogenic chemicals cause or aggravate cancer; neurotoxic chemicals cause damage to the brain and can lead to developmental and behavioural disabilities, particularly in the young developing brains of children; respiratory toxins can cause respiratory illnesses such as bronchitis, pulmonary fibrosis, emphysema, and cancer; reproductive toxins can affect reproductive ability and sexual function; and developmental toxins can negatively affect normal childhood development and growth.

Children are often most susceptible to the dangers of a toxic home because they consume more food and liquids and breathe more air per unit of body weight than adults. That means children also potentially absorb higher levels of toxic chemicals than adults in relation to their body size. Children are also more vulnerable because of their physiological and developmental characteristics. Exposures to toxic chemicals at critical periods of development can cause health problems, including damage to the nervous system and reproductive organs, and behavioural problems.

Slow Death by Rubber Duck takes the authors on a four-day bender of toxic cocktails by using and consuming normal items that we are exposed to in our homes every day. The levels of the range of dangerous chemicals in their blood and urine were measured before and after their tests, with findings that would alarm anyone, especially parents. For example, think of something as apparently benign as tinned tuna, something to be found in many kids' school lunches. After four days of eating tinned tuna the level of mercury in the authors increased by 2½ times its initial level. To cite a couple of other examples from the book, many antibacterial products contain triclosan, a chemical that weakens the immune system and is suspected of causing cancer. The authors found that their levels of triclosan increased an astounding 2,900 times their original levels just by using anti-bacterial soaps and other personal care products.

By eating canned foods cooked in a microwave the authors' levels of bisphenol A, or BPA, increased 7.5 times their initial levels. The polycarbonate plastic containers used in baby bottles and microwaveable containers are made using BPA, a substance that mimics oestrogen and has been linked to a host of health problems from breast cancer to diabetes. Some of the other products highlighted by the authors of Slow Death by Rubber Duck as containing highly dangerous substances include non-stick surfaces and stain repellents, PVC plastics and fragrances, flame retardants, most non-organic fresh food and fish—particularly larger species such as tuna, shark and swordfish and, yes, rubber ducks.

Two key issues stand out for me in this whole debate. First, the Federal and State governments allow a huge list of substances known to be dangerous to humans into the products we use and consume on a daily basis. Second, the screening, testing and approval of these substances happens behind closed doors where corporate vested interests have far more influence than members of the general public who are not being given the opportunity to make informed decisions about bringing these substances into their homes and their families' lives. The solution to this problem is simple: This country must enact a swift review of the chemicals allowed by organisations such as Standards Australia into household products and consumables, starting with those substances such as BPA that have already been banned in Canada, Europe and the United States of America.

The very least we should be doing as an interim measure is making legally binding regulations to ensure product labelling gives consumers fair warning of the presence of toxic chemicals and their potential effects. I was interested to hear the earlier debate about the Italian community. Interestingly, the might of the Roman Empire eventually fell as a result of the impact of lead pipes in the Roman water system, which affected the mental stability of those in Rome. It makes one wonder when we will ever learn. As Bertrand Russell once wisely stated:

From history man has learned that man has not learned from history.

[Time expired.]

The Hon. TONY CATANZARITI [5.05 p.m.]: Last Monday I had the very great pleasure of attending a flag raising ceremony at TAFE New South Wales, Riverina Institute, Griffith campus. The ceremony marked the occasion of National Reconciliation Week. It recognised the role of education in rural communities. It also celebrated the partnership between Griffith City Council, TAFE New South Wales, Riverina Institute and Charles Sturt University, and their work on the Western Riverina Higher Education Project. I was pleased to attend the flag raising ceremony because I believe education is a very real way forward for reconciliation in our community. I noted in my speech on that occasion that both the Riverina Institute and Charles Sturt University have been considerable forces in promoting reconciliation in the area. They have done this not only through the research efforts of their academics, and the dialogue that research creates but, more importantly, through educating their students, both indigenous and non-indigenous.

Education is important as it provides non-indigenous students with access to information that can counter stereotypes and perceived knowledge and behaviour, and it provides indigenous students with the opportunity of a quality education. While most take this for granted, the people of rural and regional New South Wales do not. That is why we are so pleased to have our own universities and TAFE colleges, which are very real centres of influence in our communities. They undertake exemplary programs to reach out into rural New South Wales to give our citizens better access to education and the benefits that accrue from that education.

The Western Riverina Higher Education Project is a collaborative program with two pathways to higher education from the Riverina Institute: the Integrated Business Program has been operational since 2004, and the Graduate Certificate in Management (Professional Practice) commenced last year. Building on these successes, an early childhood program pilot begins in July, and a nursing pathway leading to a Bachelor of Nursing will commence at Griffith in 2011. Combined with the wonderful efforts of the Koori Outreach Options for Learning Program at the Riverina Institute—I spoke of this in my adjournment speech of 12 May—I am convinced that educational opportunities for our indigenous community are growing. I hope that many younger members of our indigenous community, and even older members, will partake of the opportunities being offered by Charles Sturt University and the Riverina Institute.

The Koori Outreach Options for Learning program—KOOL—with its high retention rate of students and their movement into work and further education, provides a great pathway into these and other areas of study. I am pleased to restate my strong support for and admiration of this program. The flag raising was a great example of reconciliation at work. It was attended by people such as Carolyn White and Alice Watts from Koori Outreach Options for Learning program; Deputy Vice Chancellor of Charles Sturt University, Professor Ross Chambers; Rosemary Campbell, Director of the Riverina Institute; and Peter Brooks, General Manager of Griffith City Council. This ceremony shows what is occurring on the ground in regional and rural New South Wales. It should act as a model for us all. I thank Mrs Gloria Goolagong for her warm welcome to country. I wish all every success on these partnerships, which bring understanding and conciliation to our communities.

The Hon. RICK COLLESS [5.10 p.m.]: I address concerns within the Bathurst community about the looming closure of the region's major private healthcare facility, St Vincent's Private Hospital, which has played a vital role in the provision of health care in Bathurst for more than 90 years. However, due to substantial financial losses over a number of years, on 3 March this year it was announced that it would cease to operate as a private hospital as at 1 June 2010. A statement issued by St Vincent's healthcare management at the time outlined that a significant capital investment, which was required to purchase equipment essential to the continued provision of services that the hospital currently offers, was prohibitively expensive in light of continued financial losses. This announcement sent shockwaves throughout the community and obviously was distressing for the more than 100 staff employed at the hospital, many of whom had been unaware of how perilous St Vincent's financial situation was until the announcement was made.

The announcement also caused considerable concern among local health experts and the wider community that services that had traditionally been supplied at St Vincent's, such as orthopaedic surgery and private postnatal care, among others, would be lost to the region once the hospital shut its doors. Since this initial statement was made, the operators of the hospital, Catholic Healthcare, subsequently gave the facility a stay of execution until 1 September. During this time various other private healthcare operators have made tentative approaches to establish a private healthcare service in Bathurst. As yet, the situation remains unchanged: as of 1 September Bathurst will be without a dedicated private healthcare facility.

Members of the State Labor Government, particularly the local member, Gerard Martin, have remained consistent in their comments since the closure was originally announced—that is, that St Vincent's is a private operation and, as such, is not a facility that the State Government would or should take on the burden of funding. This is not a point that I wish to argue against. Local member Gerard Martin has spoken in the other place about meetings he attended in the wake of the 3 March announcement, including a meeting between the Minister for Health, Carmel Tebbutt, and Bathurst Mayor Paul Toole, as well as a subsequent meeting between his Federal Labor colleague the member for Macquarie, Bob Debus, and a range of nursing and other healthcare stakeholders.

Again, it was appropriate for the local member to participate in discussions about the future provision of private health care in his electorate. Mr Martin also said in the other place that in the months since he has been made privy to tentative plans by other private healthcare operators interested in setting up private health facilities in Bathurst. Again, as the local member, he should familiarise himself with such plans. Mr Martin has also made it clear that he is fully aware of the importance of a private healthcare facility to Bathurst. In a speech he made in the other place he said:

A city the size of Bathurst, one of the fastest growing regional centres in Australia, needs a private health system

With the local member's public comments on the importance of retaining a private healthcare facility in Bathurst, it was a surprise to my colleagues and me to find out the extent of Gerard Martin's efforts to fight for such a facility. A freedom of information application, recently returned, shows that the local member has not issued a single piece of written correspondence to the Premier, the health Minister or chief administrators within the Greater Western Area Health Service to lobby for support for St Vincent's. There has been no communication from the local member, in writing or via email, lobbying for the retention of staff and expertise from St Vincent's within the wider local healthcare system.

The Hon. Greg Donnelly: Point of order: The Hon. Rick Colless is making deliberate and direct imputations against a member of the other place. That is not consistent with the rules of debate. I ask that this be drawn to the member's attention and that he conform to the protocol of these debates.

The DEPUTY-PRESIDENT (The Hon. Kayee Griffin): Order! I remind the Hon. Rick Colless that he cannot make an imputation against another member of this House or the other place unless he moves a substantive motion for that purpose.

The Hon. RICK COLLESS: It is all very well for the local member to turn up to meetings, sit and nod with furrowed brow and speak of the importance of public health care to the local community. It is quite another matter for him to put his words into action. I am sure the lack of action from their local member behind the scenes will be of major concern to health practitioners, policymakers and the wider Bathurst community. The local member in this instance needed to do more than just lob into meetings and turn a tin ear to the urgent needs of his constituents. He needed to take urgent action.

The Hon. Greg Donnelly: Point of order: I return to my earlier point of order about the rules of debate. Perhaps the Hon. Rick Colless should be drawn to the specific rule, Standing Order 91 (3), which refers to imputations and improper motives towards members of this House or another House.

The DEPUTY-PRESIDENT (The Hon. Kayee Griffin): Order! I uphold the point of order. The Hon. Rick Colless's time for speaking has expired.

Ms SYLVIA HALE [5.15 p.m.]: Members will recall that on 19 May 2010 this House resolved, among other things, to require the production of all documents relating to the Minister for Planning's consideration of the appointment of a planning panel under section 118 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1978. Those papers, which arrived yesterday, make for beguiling reading. Of particular interest is an email dated 11 May 2010 from Fiona Bye of the department, to which is attached various items prepared on or prior to 6 May 2010. I refer now to one of those attachments, namely, Appendix 1, section 118 (1) (b), Heads of Consideration. As is stated on page one:

This review represents an assessment of the performance of Cessnock Council against the heads of consideration established in the Environmental Planning and Assessment (Unsatisfactory Council Performance Order) 2007

The first head of consideration concerns findings or recommendations made by the Ombudsman, the Department of Local Government, the Independent Commission Against Corruption and persons appointed by either the Minister for Planning or the Minister for Local Government. The review states:

The Department of Planning (Department) is not currently aware of any report of the NSW Ombudsman or the Independent Commission Against Corruption [ICAC] in relation to the activities or functions of the Council. ICAC has however provided comment to the Hon. Kerry Hickey MP, in response to issues that were raised by Mr Duncan Hardie concerning the Hunter Valley Accommodation Centre. ICAC advised that ICAC will not take any action in relation to the information that was provided.

As a result of Department of Local Government inquiries, particularly those undertaken into the period when the Australian Labor Party controlled the council, 16 recommendations were made. The review notes:

It appears from the information provided that Council has made significant progress toward completing the recommendations of the investigation report …

The next head of consideration concerns local environmental plans and development control plans. The review remarks that it is not aware of any issues relating to or associated with the following matters: minor amendments or spot rezonings; classes of exempt and complying development; nature and extent of determinations that do not comply with development standards; council compliance with advertising and notification requirements; council response to public submission on development and modification applications; nature and extent of determinations contrary to recommendations by council staff or an advisory or independent panel; number and outcome of section 82A reviews; number, cost or nature of legal proceedings; nature and extent of systems, policies, procedures or resources that support council's administration of planning and development matters; compliance with State environmental planning policies and regional environmental plans; endorsed strategies and policies, planning and development matters; section 117 directions; levying, collection and management of development contributions; management of conflicts of interest; and provision of information to the Department of Planning. There are no issues with any of them. In relation to Cessnock's comprehensive local environmental plan the review states:

The Department is aware that there has been approximately 1000 submission to the draft LEP. Many of these have been in relation to the proposed E2 zoning of the Wollombi Valley. As a result of these submissions the Council intends to re-exhibit parts of the draft LEP …

Other than the above, the Department is not aware of any issues associated with such submission.

In relation to the public interest the review notes that 35 letters concerning the council's operations have been received since 2009 and the review contains a summary of them. It is worth noting that of the 35 letters, the member for Cessnock, Mr Kerry Hickey, forwarded 27. An example of the quality of this complaint is a letter to Mr Hickey from Mr Richard Kerr, dated 14 January 2009, which commences:

Dear Mr Hickey,

With respect to NSW state issues I am concerned over the determination of government to sell off publicly owned assets. To my mind these have been paid for with taxpayers' money, therefore the selling of them equates to theft of a publicly owned asset.

This is a complaint supposedly about Cessnock Council. Mr Kerr continues:

The lack of the state Labor government to invest in infrastructure over the years also concerns me greatly. Governments have to have the vision to embark on projects which provide benefits to the people, even if it means suffering a downgrading of a questionable credit rating.

[Time expired.]
The Hon. IAN WEST [5.20 p.m.]: When celebrating the bicentennial of Governor Macquarie's reign we must appreciate the full complexity of the story of his reign. His actions in regard to reformed convicts created much furore in his day. Macquarie labelled the former criminals "emancipationists" and actively attempted to rehabilitate them, many quite successfully. For example, four-times unconvicted highwayman D'Arcy Wentworth became the superintendent of police and assistant surgeon of the colony; former blackmailer Michael Robinson became Sydney poet laureate; former thief Simeon Lord and naval mutineer Dr William Redfern became magistrates; and document forger Francis Greenway became the colony's premier architect. Macquarie has an equally impressive record on public works. The colonial office puppet of privilege, John Bigge, derided him in his report on Macquarie's administration. He wrote:

Emancipation is to be thrown into reverse. Convicts are to remain a source of labour for the landed gentry. The money lavished on public buildings is extravagant waste.

This backward conservative drivel is as familiar today as it was in 1821. Macquarie's administration was responsible for 265 public works. Macquarie was responsible for massive investment in social programs of education, health and children's welfare; economic developments such as the Mint, the first bank and coinage for the colony; and infrastructure programs such as the Rum Hospital, the Hyde Park Barracks and the first planned road system for the colony. He also founded the settlements of Liverpool, Windsor, Richmond, Castlereagh, Wilberforce and Pitt Town. Most impressively, he constructed a road over the Blue Mountains and founded the town of Bathurst. But that was only one side of Macquarie's regime. In his 1986 biography of Lachlan Macquarie, historian John Ritchie states:

His jaundice had swept him into a position of unthinking tyranny as he lay about, flailing malcontents and smiting dissent. Convinced of his own probity he was reluctant to analyse his motives. It seemed that he would not, or could not stop. Power had partly corrupted him.

Macquarie is often lauded for his commitments to the twin pillars of nineteenth century British imperialism, liberalism and the development of conquered lands. But we all know that winners write history, and the traditional view of Macquarie is the white man's version. Macquarie, like his contemporaries abroad, sought to subsume the Aboriginal way of life and replace it with a so-called civilised Western way of life. This was to be secured by the Bible and brute force, and not necessarily in that order. Historian M. H. Hills' book The Red Spattered Tartans has the following quote from the Governor:

I begin to entertain a fear that I shall find this a more arduous task than I first imagined. Though I am still determined to preserve in my original plan of endeavouring to domesticate and civilise these wild rude people.

After the death of an Aboriginal woman and her five children at Appin in 1814 Macquarie wrote in the Sydney Gazette:

Any person who may be found to have treated them in humanity or cruelty will be punished.

But by 1816 his attitude had changed. He proclaimed his intentions in the Sydney Gazette as:

Terrorizing the natives to the south and south west of Sydney with Military parties, and, declaring any people prisoners of war.

On 9 April 1816 Macquarie declared an unofficial war against the Aborigines and issued instructions to three detachments of the 46th Regiment to seek out a list of hostile natives and take all others encountered as prisoners of war, and to shoot any escaping Aborigines and hang their bodies from prominent trees near where they fell. The culmination of this incursion by the colony's military expedition was the massacre at Appin on 17 April 1816, when 14 men, women and children were killed by gunshots, trampled by horses and driven off a nearby cliff by the expedition. That cannot be forgotten.

Today in this House we have heard much about reconciliation. Reconciliation cannot be achieved without the truth. We must all remember the full story. Governor Macquarie has a complex and intriguing legacy. In many ways he was far ahead of his time. His scope and vision with the emancipationists and the development of the colony's physical and financial infrastructure is to be commended. However, his treatment of the indigenous population must not be forgotten as a dark stain on the history of New South Wales. The murder of the men, women and children of the Dharawal tribe will live forever in infamy.

The Hon. DON HARWIN [5.25 p.m.]: If ever another example was needed of this Government's determination to lock local communities out of planning decisions, the Health Department's covert decision to block public access to the walking route along the southern bank of the Parramatta River provides it. The public has enjoyed the Concord Foreshore Trail from Rhodes Park to Majors Bay Reserve for the past 25 years. The trail is one of the most beautiful walking paths in Sydney and an important recreational and preventative health asset for the residents of the inner west. It is also a route of historical significance, encompassing the grounds of one of the city's oldest surviving colonial estates, the heritage listed Yaralla.

Following recent additions to the Rivendell Mental Health Unit adjacent to the Concord Hospital, the Government has erected signage directing access away from the foreshore. The new walking route connects the Kokoda Memorial Walkway and the Concord Foreshore Trail by sending people through a car park, onto a roadway and through the hospital grounds—a very dangerous route. As a result, a large section of the foreshore has been removed from the trail.

Last Sunday I spoke at a rally attended by more than 100 local residents outraged at the Government's decision to remove local access to one of Sydney's most beautiful walking trails. I joined Phil Jenkyn of the Walking Volunteers and Will Holmes à Court, the Executive Director of the National Trust, for a two-hour walk to view the diversion of the track from the foreshore through the Concord Hospital car park. I saw firsthand the effect of the decision of the South Western Sydney Area Health Service to construct the Rivendell facility on top of the foreshore walk in what seems to be a direct move to break the will and trust of the Thomas Walker Estate.

Even more outrageous is the disgraceful disregard that has been shown for this unique area. I bore witness to the shameful dumping of construction waste into the sensitive mangrove ecosystem along the Parramatta River foreshore and I understand the anger felt by many local residents. Not only is the Rivendell unit being built virtually on top of the foreshore but also a new car park at Concord Hospital is disrupting another part of the walk. The removal of the public's access to the section of the foreshore around Rivendell has been made without consulting the local community and against the expressed wishes of the local council. In its determination of the 2004 development application of the Department of Health regarding the new mental health facility, the council made clear that the existing walking foreshore track should be retained.

The local Labor member, Ms Angela D' Amore, has stated that the change to the walking route and the public's access to the foreshore is necessary to ensure the safety of patients at Rivendell. She has made it quite clear that she and her Labor Government colleagues consider the matter closed and are not interested in even trying to work with the local community to find a solution that safeguards the needs of patients while allowing the foreshore to remain open to the public.

While the Labor Government has simply shut the community out, the Opposition is listening to the community and is looking at proposals for keeping public access to the foreshore open while still safeguarding the needs of patients and staff at the hospital. That is what I was doing while I was on the walk with Phil Jenkyn and Will Holmes à Court. I have also facilitated a meeting between Tom Callachor from the office of the shadow Health Minister, Brian Lindsay from my office and Phil Jenkyn to discuss possible alternatives around the Rivendell buildings. They discussed arrangements recently put in place at Cumberland Hospital, where I am advised a walking track has been placed below the mental health unit, with a security fence where required. By undertaking careful landscaping and by restricting use of the foreshore path to daylight hours, the needs of patients have been met while allowing a walk to the head of the Parramatta River to be opened to the public for the first time in 200 years.

Of course, the community in the inner west is already outraged by Ms D'Amore's failure to secure the future of a significant heritage treasure close to Concord Hospital—the neighbouring Yaralla Estate. Ms D'Amore promised a heritage management plan for the estate by the end of 2007, but has yet to produce such a plan or to secure any funding for the preservation of the historic buildings. Shamefully, the buildings are now in an appalling state of disrepair and the estate is threatened with demolition through neglect. Having failed to deliver on Yaralla, Ms D'Amore is doing nothing while the foreshore around Concord Hospital is closed. Once again, Ms D'Amore has failed to deliver for the local community and is more interested in protecting her own position in the Labor Party, rather than the public's access to this natural treasure.

I thank Phil Jenkyn and the Walking Volunteers for inviting me to speak at the rally. I very much enjoyed participating in the inspection. I demand that the Keneally Labor Government act immediately to protect the foreshore and to ensure that a workable solution can be reached that protects public access to the foreshore trail and the safety of mental health patients. An appropriate balance will suit everyone.

[Time for debate expired.]

Question—That this House do now adjourn—put and resolved in the affirmative.

Motion agreed to.