Rick Farley Soil Conservation Reserve

The Hon. MICHAEL VEITCH: My question without notice is directed to the Minister for Lands. What is the Iemma Government doing to acknowledge the late Rick Farley and his far-sighted contribution to soil conservation and reconciliation?

The Hon. TONY KELLY: The late Rick Farley left an indelible impression on national life and was well known to and respected by both sides of the House through his advocacy for farmers, soil conservation, environmental management and reconciliation with indigenous Australians. At the time of his tragic death in May last year, Rick had achieved far more than most of us could dream. A staffer in the Whitlam Government before heading the Queensland Cattlemen's Union, Rick Farley then achieved national prominence with the National Farmers' Federation. He played a pivotal role in establishing the National Soil Conservation Program, the forerunner to the National Landcare Program, and was later a member of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation. In honour of Rick's achievements, it gives me great pleasure to advise the House of the creation of the Rick Farley Soil Conservation Reserve.

I acknowledge the presence of Linda Burney in the visitors' gallery. The 12,270 hectare reserve is adjacent to the Mungo National Park in the far west of New South Wales at the centre of the Willandra Lakes World Heritage area. It contains artefacts recording continuous human occupation stretching back well over 40,000 years. European settlement has taken its toll on the national landscape, but since the creation of national parks in 1979 the impact of grazing animals has declined, the soil has had a chance to stabilise and vegetation started to regenerate. Honourable members would be able to appreciate why this location is fitting for a reserve named in honour of Rick Farley. The area is steeped in the history of the great themes that Rick devoted his life to: farming, sustainable land use, soil conservation, indigenous culture and reconciliation.

This brings me to one of Rick's greatest achievements. Rick and his close friend Philip Toyne of the Australian Conservation Foundation persuaded the Hawke Government and the Opposition to adopt a bipartisan approach to soil conservation and land degradation control with the establishment of the National Soil Conservation Program. Rick was also a close friend of the present Commissioner of the Soil Conservation Service, Warwick Watkins. This friendship was forged through their joint commitment to the soils and lands of the nation, as they collectively developed the early framework and programs of the National Soil Conservation Program. It was through the pioneering work of people like Rick that the focus on soils as the key to the management and protection of the landscapes was given its rightful prominence.

Rick's passionate commitment to the land was linked to his other great belief in indigenous reconciliation. He believed that the future of the Australian environment depended on cooperation between indigenous Australians, European Australians and all the migrant groups that followed. Sharing many of his beliefs was his wife and love of his life, Linda Burney, the first indigenous member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly and the Minister for Fair Trading, Youth and Volunteering. As I said, Linda is in the gallery today. Linda, as a friend and parliamentary colleague, I am honoured to make this announcement in your presence. It is a mark of the Government's respect for Rick's life works and his memory that we create the Rick Farley Soil Conservation Reserve. It is a poignant tribute to Rick Farley, preserving his name forever and the memory of the countless generations of indigenous Australians who cared for the land before us and for all those who will continue their stewardship of this most valuable resource into the future. I am sure all members of the House and the wider community will applaud the creation of the Rick Farley Soil Conservation Reserve.

The Hon. DUNCAN GAY: I applaud the Government on the creation of the Rick Farley Soil Conservation Reserve. The Opposition was not aware of the proposal. If the Minister for Lands had made a ministerial statement on the matter, the Opposition would have been happy to support the initiative and its implementation.