Paul Fletcher (Bradfield, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Government Services and the Digital Economy) | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Indigenous Australians. According to the website ulurustatement.org the Uluru Statement from the Heart calls for the establishment of a makarrata commission for the purpose of treaty making. Can the minister inform the House how the makarrata commission will work?

Milton Dick (Speaker) | Link to this | Hansard source

The Prime Minister, on a point of order?

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

Yes. The member for Bradfield asked a question quoting from a website that is not a government website and then asked for the minister's view of that government website.

Milton Dick (Speaker) | Link to this | Hansard source

The question goes to a website that I certainly don't know the contents of.

An honourable member interjecting—

Order! I don't. The minister cannot be responsible for every website in the country—or the world, for that matter. I would ask the manager to rephrase his question, to make sure it is within the purvey of the minister's responsibilities, which is the Minister for Indigenous Australians.

Paul Fletcher (Bradfield, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Government Services and the Digital Economy) | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister does squarely have responsibility for these matters but, to assist the House, I'll be very happy to rephrase the question. My question is to the Minister for Indigenous Australians. At the Garma Festival last year she said, 'The Uluru statement talks about an enshrined voice in the Constitution but it also talks about the establishment of a makarrata commission.' She also said, 'The Prime Minister was very clear that we will embrace and implement the Uluru statement in full.' So I ask the minister again: how will the makarrata commission work?

Milton Dick (Speaker) | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is in order, regarding the minister's statements.

Linda Burney (Barton, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Indigenous Australians) | Link to this | Hansard source

The Uluru Statement from the Heart was a simple and generous request, a request that was made by over 250 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander delegates at the Uluru convention in 2017 after dialogues, with the community, right across the country.

The first thing that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people asked for at Uluru was constitutional recognition through a voice. This is an idea that came from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, not from politicians. The Australian people will have the opportunity later this year to make the Voice a reality. This referendum is about recognition, listening and better results. It's about making a practical difference in the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians in areas like health, education, jobs and employment.