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

Those are the words of Mr Marmion, so there is no point asking me. Mr Marmion said it is likely, but I can tell you right now that the Commonwealth, unlike the Western Australia government, has not had anything to say about closing communities in Western Australia.

I cannot understand why the provision of basic municipal services would lead to closures, given his agreement that in three years time they will take over the provision of municipal services themselves. There is no connection. I completely reject the suggestion that the changeover and the acceptance by Western Australia will somehow lead to the closure of communities in Western Australia. It is just illogical. I am not sure it is reasonable to draw that conclusion from what Mr Marmion has said. (Time expired)