Federal Labor representatives for the ACT, Senator Kate Lundy, Gai Brodtmann and Andrew Leigh, today welcomed the announcement of an inquiry into the ordinance governing the character and placement of national memorials in the ACT.

The inquiry will be undertaken by the Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories and will review and report on the administration of the National Memorials Ordinance 1928 with particular emphasis on:

• The membership of the Canberra National Memorials Committee;
• The process for decision-making by the CNMC;
• Mechanisms for the CNMC to seek independent expert advice;
• Opportunities for improving transparency in the administration of the Ordinance;
• The appropriate level of parliamentary oversight for proposed national memorials;
• and The appropriate level of public participation.

Member for Canberra, Gai Brodtmann said she was pleased the inquiry will review membership of the CNMC following her campaign to restore local representation to the committee.

Questions from Ms Brodtmann at a June meeting of the Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories Committee meeting revealed that despite there being capacity on the CNMC for two ACT residents, these local positions had never been filled.

“When I was elected last year, I pledged to Canberrans that I would provide a strong voice for Canberra, and I am pleased that this inquiry will address community concerns about lack of local representation on the Canberra National Memorials Committee,” said Ms Brodtmann.

If changes to current arrangements are recommended,the committee will also enquire and report on transition provisions for current proposals for memorials that have not yet been constructed.

Senator Lundy encouraged Canberrans who have expressed concerns about local memorials to make a submission to this inquiry.

“The inquiry provides an important opportunity for local residents to have their say and propose suggestions about how the public consultation process could be improved,” Senator Lundy said.

Member for Fraser, Andrew Leigh, said the inquiry would improve transparency and ensure locals better understand the administration of national memorials.

“National memorials are important landmarks in our community and I encourage Canberrans with an interest in these to make a submission to the inquiry,” concluded Mr Leigh.