Peter Gutwein,Premier
I welcome the address from Her Excellency, the Honourable Barbara Baker AC Governor of Tasmania, to mark the official opening of the 50th Parliament of Tasmania.
We outlined a clear plan at the election to secure Tasmania’s future, and it was backed by the people who elected a majority Liberal Government for an historic, third consecutive term.
We have hit the ground running in delivering our plan, with a number of key actions already complete or underway in health, skills and training, job creation, tourism, and building the infrastructure our growing State needs.
I once again want to thank Tasmanians for the faith they have shown in us, and with Parliament now back underway, we will not let you down.
We have a clear vision for Tasmania to be a State of opportunity for all who call it home, no matter who you are, where you live, your circumstance or background, and our plan will help us deliver this vision as we secure Tasmania’s future.
Our plan will deliver a stronger and more diverse economy to provide more jobs as well as the revenues we need to continue to invest more into health, education and other essential services.
It provides for record investment into housing and through our reforms of TasTafe will deliver the training and skills that Tasmanians need to be able to take on the jobs that exist right across our strongly performing economy.
Our plan is underpinned by principles of compassion and conviction, and this is why as outlined by Her Excellency the Governor, Barbara Baker AC today we will continue on our pathway to achieve reconciliation with our First Nations people, the Tasmanian Aboriginal people so we can all share in the potential that exists from a truly meaningful, reconciled relationship.
My Government remains committed to stronger protection of Aboriginal heritage, and is open to proposals for further land return, however there is more to be done, and we are committed to doing this work.
I am pleased that Tasmania’s former Governor, Professor Kate Warner AC has agreed to facilitate a process to understand directly from Tasmanian Aboriginal people themselves how best to take our next steps towards reconciliation.
Professor Warner has demonstrated a strong commitment to Tasmanian Aboriginal people during her time as Governor, and she will be supported by UTAS Professor Tim McCormack to deliver this important work.
Professor Warner will provide a report to Government by October this year with recommendations outlining a proposed way forward towards reconciliation, as well as the views of Tasmanian Aboriginal people on a Truth Telling process and what a pathway to Treaty would consist of.
Professor Warner will begin these discussions in coming weeks.
