House debates

Thursday, 31 May 2012

Bills

Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2012-2013; Consideration in Detail

11:32 am

Photo of Michael KeenanMichael Keenan (Stirling, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Justice, Customs and Border Protection) Share this | Hansard source

I look forward to taking this hour to quiz the Attorney-General and the Minister for Home Affairs on issues within the portfolio. I want to start on an issue that we have just been discussing in the main chamber, which is the 20th anniversary of the Mabo decision by the High Court. Given the Attorney's words in support of native title today, and given the significance of this anniversary, I am wondering how she can reconcile that with what the government has done in relation to refusing to fulfil the Commonwealth's obligation to fund 75 per cent of all native title compensation settlements. In my home state of Western Australia this is a very significant issue, as it would be for other state governments as well. It really is an enormous betrayal of Indigenous people all around the country. In light of this anniversary and in light of her stated support for native title, I am wondering how she can possibly reconcile this position.

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