Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

On the amendment, the opposition is sympathetic to the comments just made by Senator Siewert. We agreed last night that 17 March was an appropriate time for referral but we also acknowledge that these issues are complex and that there will be a lot of stakeholder interest. We would leave that in the hands of the committee as it progresses with the consideration of the Native Title Amendment Act. I am not disputing that these issues are complex but we, at the moment, are happy with 17 March. We will await further advice from the committee once that inquiry is undertaken to see whether any further extensions are required.