I WRITE to thank His Grace Archbishop John Bathersby; Bishop John Gerry; Alan Druery, executive officer of the Office of the Archbishop; and Joe McCorley, executive director of the Queensland Catholic Education Commission; for their co-operation during the past few weeks in dealing with my Government’s need to change anti-discrimination laws making Queensland a better and even more accepting state.
They at times joined with leaders from the Anglican, Lutheran, Baptist, Presbyterian, Islamic, Greek Orthodox, Churches of Christ, Salvation Army and Christian Schools Association in attending key meetings to ensure workable outcomes were achieved.
I believe between us we achieved a ‘win win’ with both the Church and Government reaching outcomes acceptable to both.
I have offered public apologies for our early consultation not being good enough, but by the time the legislation was debated I think consultation would be nearing an all-time record.
The objective fair-minded manner the Church leaders engaged in the pre-parliament discussions reinforced to me their standing as people of good will and understanding.
It also highlighted that, through a preparedness to listen and accept reasoned logic, acceptable outcomes are achievable.
Your readers might like to read what I said in parliament on the issue:
http://www.thepremier.qld.gov.au/announcements/UrgencyMotionDiscriminationN2002.pdf
http://www.thepremier.qld.gov.au/announcements/PeterBeattieSpeechN2002.pdf
There is one point I however feel needs to be addressed. Miss Fiona Simpson MP, in last week’s letters to the editor made reference to my Government’s spending $40 million on a public relations machine.
That figure includes a one-off $26.04 million for CHOGM. I do not think that anyone would question such an amount being spent on protection of Her Majesty the Queen and other international leaders who were here at the time.
In conclusion, I wish you and your readers a happy and holy Christmas. My prayers will continue to be for rain.
PETER BEATTIE
Premier of Queensland
Brisbane, Qld
