House debates Questions without Notice
Indigenous Australians
Sussan Ley Farrer, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Women
2:08 pm
My question is to the Minister for Indigenous Australians. Yesterday when the Prime Minister was asked whether he supported treaty he said, 'That's like asking if you support the sun coming up.' Does the Minister for Indigenous Australians support a treaty with financial compensation paid by the Commonwealth?
Government members interjecting
Linda Burney Barton, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Indigenous Australians
2:09 pm
I thank the member for Farrer for her question. I have been asked again by the member for Farrer about the elements of the Uluru Statement from the Heart. The Australian government supports the Uluru Statement from the Heart. You're aware of that. The Uluru statement has three elements. The first request is for a Voice to parliament, which is what the referendum will be about later this year. Then it refers to makarrata, for truth-telling and agreement-making. As I have said, progress on makarrata will not occur until after the referendum. Our priority is Constitutional recognition through a Voice. Our priority is recognition, listening, and getting better results. The Prime Minister has issued an invitation to the Leader of the Opposition to come to Garma this weekend, and I now issue an invitation to you, Deputy Leader of the Opposition, to come to Garma this weekend.
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Hon. Members:
Honourable members interjecting—
Milton Dick Speaker
Order! The Deputy Leader of the Opposition has asked a question. Members on my right will cease interjecting. The minister in continuation.
Linda Burney Barton, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Indigenous Australians
Not only am I inviting the deputy leader to come to Garma but I'll even make sure there's some bug spray available for you.
Honourable members interjecting—
Milton Dick Speaker
Order—members on my left and right. When the House comes to order, I'll hear from the member for Adelaide.