Matters of Interest

Democracy

The Hon. S.G. WADE (15:24): I rise to highlight the importance of this parliament actively engaging the South Australian community. Liberal democracy has been championed by the West, but it faces significant challenges from both the left and the right.

We need to remind ourselves and our community of the vital role that democracy plays in maintaining our freedoms and promoting our prosperity. Parliament should be at the forefront of defending and promoting democracy. Parliament House itself is the focal point of democracy in this state. The Parliament House steps are a key stage for public events in our community, a place to highlight issues—from local issues through to world events.

The building is the workplace of the Legislature as we debate issues and craft laws. The building is also a dynamic teaching environment for students and young people. Parliament House embodies our state's proud democratic history. Some walls in Old Parliament House were part of the state's first legislative building, built in 1843. Effectively, this building traces its origins back 179 years. This chamber, the Legislative Council, traces its origins back to that first council in 1843.

As the focal point of democracy in a time of democratic challenge, it is vital that Parliament House is not a mere vault that preserves relics. We must use this building and its holdings to tell the story of our state and nurture our democracy. In that context, I was delighted to be part of the open day last Sunday, together with a number of members of both this place and the other place and also our staff, when 700 South Australians and visitors took the opportunity to visit parliament. Of course, visitors are welcome whenever parliament is sitting and can join free tours on non-sitting weekdays, but on the open day the parliament team went above and beyond to tell the story of key elements of our democracy.

In terms of gender equality, this parliament was the first in the world to give women both the vote and the right to sit in parliament. On Sunday, excerpts of the 1894 women's suffrage petition were displayed in the House of Assembly chamber, along with the 1894 Hansard displaying the final vote on women's suffrage. Of course, Madam Acting President, you would want me to highlight that that bill started in this chamber and was in due course passed by the House of Assembly.

In terms of parliament being accessible to all South Australians, including South Australians with disability, this parliament strives to be inclusive and accessible for both citizens and members. Kelly Vincent's desk was displayed in this chamber on Sunday. Kelly used a wheelchair for mobility and, elected at the age of 21, was the youngest member of the Parliament of South Australia and the youngest woman elected to an Australian parliament.

In terms of the economic history of the state, economic cycles and war aborted two attempts to build Parliament House: once in 1889 and again in 1914. Architectural drawings in the old chamber helped tell that story. The Parliament of South Australia has held at least two open days, but Sunday's open day was the first for more than 10 years. I hope we do not wait that long for the next. My understanding is that the New South Wales Parliament is the only Australian parliament that has regular open days, which they hold as part of their Festival of Democracy. I think it would be good if South Australia developed its own festival of democracy.

On Sunday, both Government House and Parliament House held open days. Perhaps a festival could also involve the Adelaide Town Hall, together with federal parliamentary representatives and both state and national electoral authorities. This event may not need to be annual, but it would be good to get it into a pattern. There are plenty of other elements of our story that could be highlighted in future events. After all, South Australia was the first part of the British Empire to separate church and state. South Australia was instrumental in the formation of the Australian Federation, and we have been at the vanguard of electoral reform.

I would like to commend the Community Education Officer, Natalie Young, and the organising committee for their hard work that went into Sunday's event. I was very impressed with the high quality of the presentations and the organisation—the day went very smoothly. I would like to thank the five dozen volunteers, members and staff, who offered their hospitality last Sunday. Our democracy must be actively nurtured, protected and promoted. Our open day was a valuable contribution to that challenge.