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

On behalf of the coalition, I would like to associate myself with the Attorney-General's remarks on the 20th anniversary of the Mabo decision. We on this side of the House recognise that this is an important date and that the decision provided a valuable point upon which to further develop recognition and respect for Indigenous Australians. There is no doubt that the story of Eddie Mabo and his fellow claimants is a compelling one, and that the ultimate decision of the High Court was a landmark case in the common law of this country.

It is appropriate that we mark this anniversary today. In keeping with what we believe is the dignity of the occasion, I do not propose to rise to some of the Attorney-General's baiting remarks and allow this moment to become a matter of partisan point-scoring. In response to the Attorney-General's fine words, I will note that they are completely at odds with the reality of Labor's decision to break a longstanding Commonwealth commitment to fund 75 per cent of all native title compensation. This decision has been characterised by the Western Australian government as 'the lowest act of a poor government—disgraceful, completely unethical and a betrayal to every Indigenous person in Australia'.

The coalition recognises that, despite the important developments in native title that have occurred over the last 20 years—under both sides of politics—Indigenous Australians continue to face particular challenges, particularly in seeking to access education and employment, which are the basic building blocks to a happy and productive life. Governments must approach these issues in a way that builds trust, empowers and respects Indigenous leaders and focuses on building sustainable communities to ensure that we can make a lasting difference and not just make yet another government announcement.

At present, Australians are considering how best to recognise Indigenous Australians in the founding document of our Federation—the Constitution. As the Expert Panel on Constitutional Recognition of Indigenous Australians has recognised, in order for this to succeed it must have bipartisan support. The coalition took its support for such an initiative to the last election and remains committed to this important symbolic step.

It is the coalition's deep desire that this occasion can used to achieve a truly unifying moment in the history of our country. On behalf of the coalition, I join with the government in marking the 20th anniversary of this important day.

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