Matt O'Sullivan (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

I want to make a few short remarks in this discussion we are having tonight on the Closing the gap statement and report. Sadly, the Closing the gap report is another reminder that this Albanese government is not delivering the tangible outcomes that are necessary for Indigenous Australians. As we heard, targets pertaining to the development of children have worsened. Targets pertaining to the number of children in out-of-home care have worsened. The target pertaining to family safety—namely, the safety of women—has not even had data available for its assessment since 2018-19. We cannot expect to see sustainable economic outcomes without investing in the health and functionality of the family unit.

This Albanese Labor government has continually attempted to address intergenerational disadvantage with meaningless policy announcements. Sadly, the data does not lie. It wasn't a referendum that Australia needed. It is not just another ministerial statement and it is not just another report telling the story of the gap that never closes. What Australia needs, what our Indigenous community needs, is this Albanese government standing up and delivering what is absolutely essential—that is, leadership and urgency.

Prime Minister and Minister, your motherhood statements and sentimental platitudes simply do not cut it. Our communities need real action. Maybe start by acknowledging the mistake of abolishing the cashless debit card and reinstate it. Initiate a thorough inquiry into funding and outcomes, and promote economic opportunities for Indigenous communities through improved land tenure. These reforms would deliver meaningful benefits and genuinely assist in closing the gap. I call on this Albanese Labor government to provide the tangible outcomes that our Indigenous communities desperately need.

In closing, I want to take this moment to reflect on the events of 26 January this year in Perth. Tolerance and respect are foundational pillars of this great nation of ours. I want to condemn in the strongest possible terms the alleged act of terror that occurred at Forrest Place in Perth on Australia Day, 26 January. The throwing of a home-made explosive device into the crowd that was gathered there peacefully to protest their views was a shocking and reprehensible act with potentially devastating consequences. The fact is that Western Australians, including Indigenous Western Australians, were lawfully and peacefully exercising their right to express their views. Many of those views are not my views, but they have the right to express those views, and they were expressing them peacefully. They should have been able to do that in a way that felt safe. But, sadly, on that day, as we learned, they were not.

I stand with my Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander brothers and sisters, especially the Noongar community in Perth. While this incident could've resulted in serious injury or loss of life—and thank God it didn't—the fear and trauma that was inflicted will, sadly, leave lasting scars. So I stand shoulder to shoulder with the Noongar community and all Western Australians. We are united in our commitment to your safety, your dignity and your right to live without fear.