Nigel Scullion (NT, Country Liberal Party, Minister for Indigenous Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

No doubt Mr Marmion was reflecting on how he felt, and that is a matter for him. In terms of the general thrust of your question, regarding municipal and essential services, I suppose the real question is: why would you decide to have two completely different approaches—on the basis of ethnicity and background—to the provision of a basic service?

We on this side believe that municipal services should be provided—as they are everywhere else in Australia—to mainstream Australia by state and territory governments. We believe that should be consistent right across Australia. I have to congratulate Mr Marmion on the decision. Yes, I understand it was a difficult decision, but I congratulate him on taking responsibility for his first Australians in Western Australia.