Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the member for his question. He was a member of a government that had $19 billion going to businesses that were increasing their profits and didn't see a problem with any of that: 'Nothing to see here'—about $19 billion going to businesses that were increasing their profits.

Now, 'makarrata' is a Yolngu word coming from Arnhem Land, from the traditional owners, that speaks about a coming together after conflict. That is simply what it means. 'Makarrata' is about promoting reconciliation. That is what it means. We make no apologies for saying that. The idea of a makarrata that has been requested is, of course, a positive one and, yes, we had measures in the budget for it.

We saw over the weekend, as well, some commentary from people who aren't normally a cheer squad for the Labor Party speaking about the tactics of those opposite. They said this:

We are talking about a government putting a referendum to the people to enact a reform designed to unify the nation and eradicate discrimination, a reform devised by Indigenous representatives, constitutional experts and politicians of all stripes across two decades of consultation—

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