Nigel Scullion (NT, Country Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to support this very important motion. I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate Senator Bartlett on using this time in the Senate today for something that is very, very important—not only to myself as a Territorian but to all Australians. It is vital that we work together constructively to address the lot of Indigenous Australians and particularly of those who are living, by and large, in Indigenous communities. I will be supporting you, Senator Bartlett, and the Democrats in this very important motion.

I am particularly proud to be part of a government that is showing leadership in almost every aspect of this particularly important policy area. I am not so sure that all jurisdictions are doing the same. I am not so sure that they will pay much attention to this motion for working together. I have been working very closely in the Northern Territory with Mal Brough over the last couple of months, and it has been well reported how Australians generally have responded to action in this area. It is disappointing that the Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, Clare Martin, told us a number of things, the first of which was: ‘We need action, not words.’ That is what we need, Mr Deputy President—action.