Julie Owens (Parramatta, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

to move:

That this House:

(1)

notes:

(a)

that during October and November Australian Hindus celebrate the Deepavali Festival;

(b)

Deepavali, is the most widely celebrated festival of people of Indian sub-continental heritage, and:

(i)

Deepavali means rows of lights, and is the festival symbolising the dispelling of darkness, myths and perceptions; and

(ii)

darkness represents ignorance and light is a metaphor for knowledge, therefore, lighting a lamp represents the destruction of all negative forces such as, wickedness, violence, lust, anger, greed, bigotry, fear, injustice and oppression, with knowledge; and

(c)

that Deepavali celebrations are being held in all capital cities around the country with the largest event, at Parramatta Stadium, growing from strength to strength; and

(2)

recognises:

(a)

the contribution of Hindu Australians and Australians of Indian Sub-Continent heritage to Australian society as a story of hard work and determination for a better life; and

(b)

thanks Australian Hindus and Australian’s of sub-continent heritage for sharing, with us, their rich and vibrant cultural traditions.

to move:

That this House:

(1)

notes:

(a)

every year, on 11 November at 11 am—the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month—we pause to remember those men and women who have died or suffered in all wars conflicts and peace operations;

(b)

by this act of remembrance, we remind ourselves that this special place that we live in, and the way of life we enjoy, has been hard won, through the commitment and sacrifice of those who served—paid for with lives cut off, with hopes and aspirations destroyed; and

(c)

it is a precious inheritance willed to us by the men and women who served, and continue to serve; and

(2)

honours and thanks:

(a)

the great gift given to us by those who serve our country;

(b)

those that gave their lives;

(c)

those whose loved ones lie in foreign soil; and

(d)

all those that lived through the mud and the horror and continue to stand with us today.

to move:

That this House:

(1)

notes:

(a)

that 8 to 14 November is National Recycling Week;

(b)

now in its 15^th year, National Recycling Week is an established and highly regarded annual education and behaviour change campaign, aimed at improving the environmental benefits of kerbside, industrial and community recycling programs;

(2)

congratulates all Australians who take part in National Recycling Week by attending a Big Aussie Swap or a Friday File Fling; and

(3)

encourages all Australians to access accurate recycling information through the Recycling Near You Website—http://www.recyclingnearyou.com.au, or by calling the Hotline on 1300 733 712.

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