Legislative Assembly to recognise traditional custodians each sitting day


Released 10/05/2018

Today the Legislative Assembly passed a motion to recognise traditional custodians at the beginning of each sitting day.

As the ACT nears its first Reconciliation Day holiday, establishing a daily acknowledgement of country is a meaningful act of Reconciliation. The Assembly has previously recognised the traditional custodians at the beginning of each sitting period.

I am pleased this motion was supported by all parties in the Legislative Assembly. It shows the respect all members of the Assembly hold towards our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and demonstrates the Assembly’s ongoing commitment to Reconciliation.

These changes will also align the Legislative Assembly with the House of Representatives, where the Standing Orders require the Speaker to make an acknowledgement of country at the beginning of each sitting day.

Reconciliation Day falls during Reconciliation Week, which is celebrated around Australia from 27 May to 3 June, to commemorate two significant Reconciliation milestones: the 1967 Referendum and the High Court Mabo decision.

This year’s theme, which has also been adopted for the ACT’s Reconciliation Day, is “don’t keep history a mystery.”

On Reconciliation Day, Monday 28 May, a flagship community event will be held in Glebe Park from 10am-2pm. This will be an important opportunity for Canberrans to come together in the spirit of Reconciliation to engage in conversation about our shared history and to celebrate the contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to the life and culture of our city and region. The family friendly event will feature food stalls, bush tucker talks, children’s art workshops and more.

- Statement ends -

Rachel Stephen-Smith, MLA | Media Releases


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