Mr McCARTHY - 2008-09-17
On the 30th Anniversary of Self-Government this year, the Chief Minister recommitted the Territory to statehood. Could the minister please outline to the House the government’s next steps towards statehood?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Barkly for his question. The Henderson government is committed to statehood. The Chief Minister recommitted the Territory to working towards statehood on 1 July, and it is important that this road is a bipartisan one.
I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his continued support and that of his colleagues, especially in regard to the Statehood Steering Committee and the work of the committee over the month of June with the campaign, and in the lead-up to the workshops that will take place next year. It can only happen through a bipartisan approach at a political level.
It is also about harnessing the hearts, if you like, of our fellow Australians around the country, that we in the Northern Territory want to be equal citizens with our fellow Australians. We ask them to encourage us to join them at the seat of Federation as the seventh state.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Barkly for his question. The Henderson government is committed to statehood. The Chief Minister recommitted the Territory to working towards statehood on 1 July, and it is important that this road is a bipartisan one.
I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his continued support and that of his colleagues, especially in regard to the Statehood Steering Committee and the work of the committee over the month of June with the campaign, and in the lead-up to the workshops that will take place next year. It can only happen through a bipartisan approach at a political level.
It is also about harnessing the hearts, if you like, of our fellow Australians around the country, that we in the Northern Territory want to be equal citizens with our fellow Australians. We ask them to encourage us to join them at the seat of Federation as the seventh state.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016