Kerrynne Liddle (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Child Protection and the Prevention of Family Violence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Gallagher. In 2020 the Prime Minister tweeted:

Voice. Truth. Treaty. That's the future I want for Australia.

However, in a recent interview with Ben Fordham on 2GB he stated emphatically:

This is not about a treaty. This isn't about that.

The Prime Minister then described a treaty as something that isn't happening. Can the minister confirm which version of the Prime Minister's statements is the future he wants? Is it a treaty or not a treaty?

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As everyone in this chamber knows and understands, the 2023 referendum is about constitutional recognition through a Voice, and Australians will be asked a simple question: do you support a change to the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice? Let's be clear about what the Voice is. The Voice will be a committee of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who will give advice to parliament and government on issues that affect their community. It will include Indigenous Australians from every state and territory and the Torres Strait Islands and representatives from the regions and remote areas. That is the question that will be put to the Australian people later this year. It is about constitutional recognition through a Voice to parliament. It is interesting, again, that those who are opposing this very simple question and generous offer are seeking to conflate a whole range of other matters in their opposition to the Voice referendum.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Liddle, a first supplementary?

Kerrynne Liddle (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Child Protection and the Prevention of Family Violence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Voice architect Professor Megan Davis has described the Voice as being the 'enabling mechanism' for a treaty.

Hon. Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

Kerrynne Liddle (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Child Protection and the Prevention of Family Violence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We're talking about Professor Megan Davis, in case you didn't hear that.

Honourable senators interjecting—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Liddle, please resume your seat. Order across the chamber!

Senator Hughes and Senator Watt, order!

Senator Shoebridge, order!

Honourable senators interjecting—

Order across the chamber! Senator Liddle, I am going to invite you to begin your question again. I expect Senator Liddle to be able to ask her question in silence.

Kerrynne Liddle (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Child Protection and the Prevention of Family Violence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Voice architect Professor Megan Davis has described the Voice as being the 'enabling mechanism' for a treaty. Is Professor Davis correct that the Voice will be used to enable a treaty to occur?

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I will refer the senator to the principles that have been released as part of the work that has been done over many years, with consensus and support across both chambers of parliament until, unfortunately, recently. This has been work that has been underway for years. The Voice will give independent advice to the parliament and government. The Voice will be chosen by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people based on the wishes of local communities. It will be representative of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, please resume your seat. Senator Liddle on a point of order?

Kerrynne Liddle (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Child Protection and the Prevention of Family Violence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question was very specific: will the Voice be used to enable a treaty to occur?

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Liddle, the minister is being directly relevant to your question. Minister, please continue.

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am explaining the principles that underpin the Voice, which is the question that the senator has asked of me. It will be empowering, community led, inclusive, respectful, culturally informed, accountable and transparent, working alongside existing organisations and traditional structures. It will not have a veto power. As the minister has said, it will focus on health, education, jobs and housing. (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Liddle, a second supplementary?

Kerrynne Liddle (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Child Protection and the Prevention of Family Violence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Minister for Indigenous Australians has said that budget funding for a makarrata commission is 'really code for treaty'. What other codes is this government using to deceive the Australian population?

Hon. Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am not going to call the minister until the interjections cease.

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

What was the last sentence that Senator Liddle said?

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Liddle, would you repeat the question, please.

Kerrynne Liddle (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Child Protection and the Prevention of Family Violence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Minister for Indigenous Australians has said that budget funding for a makarrata commission is 'really code for treaty'. What other codes are this government using to deceive the Australian population?

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government is being very clear about the question that will be put forward to people when the referendum is held. That information is very clear. The question is clear.

It has been developed over years from formerly tripartisan and multipartisan cooperation, frankly, until recently. We have been very clear about what the question is. We have been clear about what the principles of the Voice are. I completely reject the assertion that is implicit in that question about us not being upfront.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, please resume your seat. Senator Cash, your interjections are disorderly and they're constant. I'm asking you to cease. Minister, please continue.

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you. I completely reject that assertion in the question. We have been very clear, and we look forward to working right across the country—across community, across faith groups, across civil society, across everywhere—to deliver this very important reform for our country, to walk together and unite the country and recognise our First Nations history. (Time expired)