Hello All, For your interest. I haven't forgotten about GST, but neither had I realized that we have so many elected representatives on the list. They might be able to give us a run down on how they deal with the emails that they receive on various subjects. I am not sure that the tactic is working anymore, or at least not on issues like the GST or Internet Censorship. I was talking to Bob Brown's office yesterday, following up on a non-contentious email that I had sent them and they told me they had been spammed on GST, and had just deleted all their emails, could I send mine again? If that is the way everyone is dealing with protest emails, then it is to a certain extent counterproductive, because a junior staffer is delegated to deal with it by use of the delete key. There have to be better ways. Graham Y
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice/The Arts, HON. MATTHEW FOLEY 26/5/99 Reconciliation in the arts Arts Minister Matt Foley today tabled in Parliament directives to the State's major arts and cultural statutory authorities to implement a program of reconciliation with Aboriginal and Islander people. The directives give a leading role in the process of reconciliation to the State Library, Art Gallery, Museum, Performing Arts Trust and the Queensland Theatre Company, Mr. Foley said. "It is imperative that the arts play a role in the reconciliation process in the lead-up to the Centenary of Federation and throughout the Centennial Year of 2001." He said. "There is no greater issue confronting our society at this period in history than reconciliation with Aboriginal Australia." "The arts have a powerful role to play in this process. Our culture must foster a dialogue with Aboriginal and Islander people if we are to come to terms honestly with our history and thus enter into the new millennium on the basis of truth, not denial or exclusion. This is in everyone's interests." Mr. Foley said. "It is the core business of cultural policy to confront issues which go to our cultural identity as a people." "Each of the cultural statutory authorities is already playing a significant role in this area. The State Library provides access to historical records to trace family origins. The Art Gallery has an important collection of Aboriginal and Islander art. This reconciliation initiative will build on the good work already being done." He said. Mr. Foley said the idea for the reconciliation through the arts initiative grew out of the suggestion of Aboriginal artist Lilla Watson, a member of the Queensland Art Gallery Board of Trustees. "I convened a meeting with the Aboriginal arts community at the Jagera Arts Centre, Musgrave Park, South Brisbane to discuss the proposal. I also met last Friday with the Chairs and Directors of the various cultural statutory authorities. It was very encouraging to hear the enthusiasm for this process both from the indigenous arts community and from the heads of the various cultural organisations." Mr. Foley said. "Accordingly I have yesterday issued written Ministerial directions to the Boards of the State Library, Art Gallery, Museum, Performing Arts Trust and Queensland Theatre Company pursuant to the Arts Legislation Amendment Act of 1997, to pursue a program of reconciliation in the lead-up to the Centenary of Federation and throughout the Centennial Year of 2001." He said. Further information: Kate Maccheroni Collins 323 93614 / 0414 287794
