Fatima Payman (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. It is just over one month before Australians head to the polls to vote on the referendum on a Voice to Parliament. Can the minister explain to the Senate how the Voice is an opportunity to bring Australians together and help achieve better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people? And can the minister outline why the government supports constitutional recognition through a Voice to Parliament?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Payman for her question. I thank her for her genuine interest in closing the gap and for her determination to build a better future for all Australians. On 14 October all of us—every Australian—will have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to bring our country together and to change it for the better, to vote for recognition and listening so we get better results.

Constitutional recognition through a Voice is the form of practical reconciliation that Indigenous Australians requested as part of the Uluru Statement from the Heart. It is supported by an overwhelming majority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The Voice will offer ideas and advice so governments can make better decisions to address the challenges facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It is an advisory committee made up of representatives from across the country. It won't have the power to make or veto government's decisions. What it will do is improve outcomes in Indigenous health, housing, education and employment.

Australians from all walks of life are coming together, united in their support for a Voice to Parliament enshrined in the Constitution. Meanwhile, we have the 'no' campaign, who've put forward many varying reasons for their opposition in their campaign. But what is noteworthy is that Mr Dutton has in fact promised not one but two referendums—another referendum on constitutional recognition—although I note that his shadow minister for Indigenous affairs has publicly stated that she does not support it. So, more politics, more political games, because Mr Dutton didn't do something when he had the chance. And now that someone else is to trying to do something, he wants to tear it down. (Time expired)

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

Senator Payman, a first supplementary?

Fatima Payman (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you—

The:

Sorry, Senator Payman. Senator Nampijinpa Price?

Jacinta Nampijinpa Price (NT, Country Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

A point of order, President: at no point have I ever suggested that I do not support—

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

That's a debating point, not a point of order. Please resume your seat. I invite you to make whatever statements you want to outside of question time, at other times.

It is not a point of order. Please resume your seat.

Senator Nampijinpa Price, I have asked you twice to resume your seat. Please resume your seat. As the President it's my authority to direct you to resume your seat. Resume your seat.

Honourable senators interjecting—

Order! Senators on my left and right.

Deborah O'Neill (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Take your seat!

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

Senator O'Neill, I will remind you, as the President, it is my job to control order in this place and that was very unhelpful.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On the point of order, if I may, Senator Nampijinpa Price has raised an issue. If I have made an incorrect reflection, I am always happy to withdraw it. I would invite her to, at an appropriate time, make a contribution to the chamber. I believe that that was what was reported and I represented that according to public reports. But if that is incorrect, of course, we will do you the courtesy of ensuring you have the opportunity later in proceedings to do that.

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

Senator Payman, a first supplementary?

Fatima Payman (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There have been a number of reports on respective campaigns on the upcoming referendum on the Voice to Parliament. Can the minister please update the Senate on how those campaigns are being conducted as Australians prepare to vote on October 14?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

(—) (): It was quite disturbing and I would hope that Senator Cash and others who are urging a higher tone in this debate might join with me in condemning this, because it was disturbing to read in yesterday's Sydney Morning Herald and Age that the no campaign has instructed volunteers to use fear and doubt rather than facts to trump the arguments used by the yes campaign. I look forward to Senator Cash joining with me in condemning such an approach, which is not the approach we should be taking to this discussion. This is nothing more than fear mongering by those who will do and say anything if they think it will help them politically, spreading lies and sowing fear, even when it means standing on the way of a better future for Australians. You see, this is a political tactic we have seen, regrettably, from some on the other side in so many ways. Certainly, Mr Dutton has an approach; he builds himself up by tearing things down. (Time expired)

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

Senator Payman, a second supplementary?

Fatima Payman (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Minister, for the update. Can the minister remind the Senate about efforts to achieve reform in Australia in the past. What lessons can we take from history as we seek to make progress towards a better future for all Australians?

Paul Scarr (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Don't go to a referendum unless you have full support!

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

Senator Scarr, I am calling you to order.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

(—) (): The facts are we know from what the no campaign have told Australians that they are prepared to exploit fear and put that political fight ahead of national progress. I say to those opposite: instead of interjecting and complaining about it, maybe you should do something about it. Surely, if you want this debate to be a decent debate, if you want this debate to be a debate that is worthy of the Australian people, then surely those opposite and Mr Dutton might use their leadership to ensure that we see facts not fear as the basis of the debate. We know of course that those opposite do like to resort to fear tactics. We remember words such as 'economic wasteland'. We remember an assertion that secure jobs and better pay would leave supermarket shelves bare. (Time expired)