Hansard debates

The SPEAKER — Order! I would like to acknowledge the land of the tribes and nations of the Aboriginal people of Victoria. We pay our respects to them, to their culture and to their elders past and present.

I am proud to advise the house that today the President of the Legislative Council and I presided over a ceremony at which the Australian Aboriginal flag was raised on top of Parliament House. From this day on the Aboriginal flag will fly permanently at our Parliament alongside the Victorian and Australian flags. This is a historic day for our Parliament and our state.

With this action we honour the Aboriginal people of Victoria and our nation, their elders past and present. We join with communities across Victoria and throughout the nation who are already flying the Aboriginal flag on their local buildings.

It is a decision that has broad cross-party support in our Parliament, recommended by the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and endorsed by the Premier and the Leader of the Opposition. Members from all sides of politics have united in favour of this decision.

The Aboriginal flag is symbolic of the hopes and aspirations of the Aboriginal people. It represents the important connection Aboriginal people have with land and place. That is why our Parliament's decision will resonate with people across Victoria.

In my own electorate of Tarneit one of our areas is named after an Aboriginal Tasmanian, Truganini, who lived for some time in Victoria. Her struggle for rights and dignity reflects the stories of many Aboriginal people. With our action today we pay our respects to that history and we make a commitment to build a better future for Aboriginal people.

It is significant that this flag-raising ceremony was held on 15 September, as this day is the International Day of Democracy. This international day has been celebrated by parliaments and people around the globe since it was declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007. It recognises the strength of democracy: that the will of the people is paramount. This is an ideal worth celebrating. On the International Day of Democracy 2015, let us renew our commitment as a Parliament to inspire and involve our community in all of its diversity and in the spirit of reconciliation with our Aboriginal communities.