Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I have some questions for the minister on a couple of other issues. Under the new section 19A, it is technically possible for an entity other than a Northern Territory or Commonwealth government entity to hold a 99-year lease over an Aboriginal township. I am interested in whether other models have been considered. Is the government open to other models for that entity? What is the government’s understanding about what entity will be used in the first instance? The government says that there is a need to hurry to get this legislation passed. One of the concerns that we and others have had about this whole issue is the lack of detail about what form an entity would have and what Indigenous involvement there would be in decisions taken by that entity. The question goes to whether an entity other than a Northern Territory or Commonwealth government entity could be possible, whether one is envisaged, and, more broadly, whether or not the Commonwealth has a clear vision for what form the entity will take, given the expressed view that things will proceed quickly.