It’s the festive season already and we will welcome in the New Year very soon. It always seems to come around so quickly.

Since my last message the ACT elections have been held and I am pleased to be able to say that I have been re elected for a 2nd term as part of a Labor Government’s 3rd term. I greatly value the trust that has been placed in me by the people in Ginninderra.

It was a hard fought election and the 7th Assembly has 8 new Members and quite a different makeup, with the Green Part securing 4 seats and the Liberals 6.

The first ceremonial sitting of the 7th Assembly has been held and I was elected Deputy Speaker. During the first full week of sittings the Standing Orders were amended to allow for an additional hour of sitting per day and one evening sitting per sitting week.

There will be 6 Standing Committees this time round, the Committees and their membership can be viewed on - http://www.parliament.act.gov.au/committees/index.asp?category=Standing&...

I have been elected Chair of the Standing Committee on Planning, Public Works and Territory and Municipal Services, Deputy Chair of the Standing Committee on Climate Change, Environment and Water and a Member of the Standing Committee on Justice and Community Safety.

I will miss my involvement on the Standing Committees on Health and Disability and Education, Training and Young People, however will pursue my interest in these areas through other means.

During that first sitting week I was fortunate to be able t move a Private Members motion in relation to Social inclusion and the Federal Government’s plans to work with the States and Territories on its proposed new model for disability employment services. It is proposed that these services will begin on 1 March 2010, as part of the Federal Government’s strategy for developing greater social inclusion in Australia.

I also noted the intention of Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector, Senator Ursula Stephens to build relationships across governments, in active cooperation with the governments of the states and territories as well as the non-profit sector, consistent with the Rudd Government's aim to empower the states and territories to provide innovative ways of implementing Federal Government policy.

This has been followed very shortly afterwards with news that Over 50 non profit organisation leaders have met with the Federal Government to discuss establishing a way that the diverse non profit sector can have effective national representation.

Recently a “National Compact Expert Panel” provided advice to the Federal Government regarding developing a national “Compact “ between the Government and the non profit sector. Such a Compact already exists in the ACT and was as a result of an initiative of the then joint deliberations of the non Government organisations’ peaks and ACT Government. I shall be watching with interest the progress towards the development of such a national Compact.

In addition to the above motion I was able to move a matter of public importance in relation to the more general concern of social exclusion and inclusion.

It was pleasing, in the same week to be able to speak in support of the Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948. Australia strongly supported the adoption of the Universal Declaration and an Australian, Dr Herbert Vere Evatt, played a leading role in its formulation. “Doc Evatt”, as he was affectionately known, was the then Minister for External Affairs in the Curtin and Chifley Governments- and led the Australian delegation to the founding meeting of the United Nations.

As I said in my speech to the Assembly on that day –

“I’m proud to say that Canberra was in the year 2000 the first Australian city to adopt a Human Rights Act, a step that has since been taken by Victoria in 2006 with their Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act, and is being considered by other states. Alone, these acts give no guarantees. ------------- Each government, each party, each organisation and business and most importantly each individual has the responsibility of ensuring that these basic human rights are upheld.”

As Mahatma Gandhi once said, and I quote: “You must be the change that you wish to see in the world.”

The consultation period for comment on my discussion paper on possible Retirement Village legislation has now officially closed, however some industry stakeholders have asked for additional time to complete their comment.

I am in discussion with the relevant Ministers and hope that work will commence shortly on drafting the proposed Bill. Once tabled there will be further opportunity to make comment on the draft Bill.

I commenced my Mobile Offices again on the first weekend of this November and following the Christmas and School holiday period I will re commence, i.e. on the first weekend of February 2009, at the Belconnen Fresh Food Markets.

Dates, times and venues will of course be advertised on my website and in my Porter Report.

Many Canberrans will be off down the coast for this holiday period and I trust that everyone will be especially careful around water this summer. Unfortunately each year there are tragic accidents involving the surf and also swimming pools. We can all help by keeping a special eye out for children, or anyone that could get into trouble around water.

Another danger that we should be very cognisant of is that of leaving a child or pet in a car by themselves, its is not well know that, even with the car windows rolled down, the temperature in a car can rise to fatally dangerous levels within minutes. If you see child locked in a car this summer then immediately ring the police.

If you are staying in town then there are many family events you can get involved in and for information on these great events go to www.events.act.gov.au/

Again unfortunately, sometimes what should be a great night out can be spoilt by not taking care around alcohol. If you do want to have a drink while out you can enjoy yourself by drinking in moderation, and also encourage your friends to follow your example. If you’re going somewhere and you intend to drink, make sure there is a designated driver to get everyone home safe, or use the Nightrider service
ACT Police is doing a great job breath testing drivers and keeping the roads as safe as possible, and they will be out in force on New Year’s Eve, of course, however it is distressing to learn about the high levels of drink driving arrests there has been recently.
As of 23 December 2008, the ACT was been fatality-free this holiday period. It would be great if we could keep our roads safe all holiday. Let’s not start the New Year recovering from a car accident, or mourning the loss of a loved one.
I would like to pay special tribute to all the volunteers who work so tirelessly all year round to make a difference for so many Canberrans. It is well known that for a metropolitan area the ACT has very high rates of volunteering per head of population.
This time of the year, when most of us would like to be with our family members, many will not be so fortunate, or may have other factors operating in their lives which cause distress, in response Canberrans will offer their service as volunteers to ensure that Christmas and New Year is made just that bit better for everyone. Special thanks go to all volunteers who work over the festive season.
I wish everyone a happy, safe and restful Christmas and New Year.
Mary.