House debates Questions without Notice
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flags
Rebekha Sharkie Mayo, Centre Alliance
2:15 pm
Prime Minister, one of my constituents, an Indigenous man—
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Opposition Members:
Opposition members interjecting—
Tony Smith Speaker
The member for Mayo will pause for a second. Members on my left, you can cease interjecting. I can't hear the member for Mayo. If you could start your question again.
Rebekha Sharkie Mayo, Centre Alliance
My question is to the Prime Minister. One of my constituents, an Indigenous man, named Mr Hedley Vogt, has approached me regarding an issue close to his heart. There are four flagpoles in this chamber and none of them carry the Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander flags. We've seen over the last two days that language matters and action matters. Yesterday this House united to condemn racism and discrimination. In a continuation of that spirit and in the spirit of reconciliation and recognition of the history and culture of Australia's First Peoples, will the government support flying the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags in this chamber?
Christopher Pyne Sturt, Liberal Party, Leader of the House
The Prime Minister is probably more than happy to remark on it. It's not actually within his responsibilities, but that's a matter for the standing orders and, therefore, the House. And, with that clarification, the Prime Minister might like to—
Tony Smith Speaker
Before I call anybody, I've listened to the question and it's certainly not the Prime Minister's responsibility. I'd need to check where the responsibility lies, whether it is the standing orders or—the Leader of the Opposition?
Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
I thought the question by the member for Mayo—I didn't hear all of it—ended on whether or not the government supports such a measure and, if it's of assistance to the Prime Minister—as these things should be, as they were yesterday—we'll offer bipartisanship if you choose to take up the member for Mayo's offer.
Tony Smith Speaker
Member for Mayo, if you could just repeat the last part of the question.
Rebekha Sharkie Mayo, Centre Alliance
Certainly. In continuation of that spirit, the spirit of reconciliation and recognition of the history and cultures of Australia's First Peoples, will the government support flying the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags in this chamber?
Malcolm Turnbull Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
2:18 pm
I thank the honourable member for her question. I imagine the honourable member will seek to move a motion to amend the standing orders for that purpose, assuming that is necessary. It is within the Speaker's responsibility, as we understand, but we take the honourable member's suggestion on board. But I have to say, Mr Speaker, and remind the honourable member, while we pay great respect to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags, the flag hanging in each corner of this room is the flag of Australia.