Wednesday, 15 November 2023

Motions

Apology for past care leavers

Mary-Anne THOMAS (Macedon – Leader of the House, Minister for Health, Minister for Health Infrastructure, Minister for Ambulance Services) (11:40): I move:

That so much of standing and sessional orders be suspended on Wednesday 29 November 2023 to allow:

(1) the Speaker to take the Chair at 10 am, interrupt business, and the house proceed in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (5);

(2) Legislative Council members to be admitted onto the floor of the house and to remain until the motion for a parliamentary apology for past care leavers is resolved;

(3) the Premier to move a motion for a parliamentary apology for past care leavers and the Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly and the Leader of the Victorian Greens in the Legislative Council to speak on the motion for up to 10 minutes each;

(4) the Speaker to put the question on the motion at the conclusion of the contributions referred to in paragraph (3);

(5) any business under discussion at the 10 am suspension to be resumed immediately after the motion is resolved and Legislative Council members have withdrawn, and any member speaking at the time of interruption to then continue their speech.

Bringing the houses together to issue an apology on behalf of the Parliament is always a significant event, and in doing so we will be acquitting a commitment that was made at the last election to care leavers – to the Clannies, as they are affectionately known – and it is fitting that we do this in the last sitting week of the Parliament. I want to thank the members of the opposition for their cooperation in helping to bring about this sitting so that we can take that opportunity to apologise for past practices that have been very damaging to many people, and I commend the motion to the house.

James NEWBURY (Brighton) (11:41): I concur with the Leader of the House and say that the coalition and government have worked together on this motion in the best spirit of the Parliament on behalf of Victorians. This is an important opportunity to bring both houses together to provide an apology to people that deserve it. This sitting will be an opportunity to pass on what will be words but heartfelt words on behalf of both chambers and all members in both chambers.

Motion agreed to.