Lidia Thorpe Victoria, Independent
2:44 pm
My question is for the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator McCarthy. There's been more delays to the controversial Middle Arm gas and petrochemical hub on Larrakia country, which your government is pumping billions of dollars into. Engagement with Larrakia custodians has been a sham. Larrakia families and First Peoples across the Territory have made it clear that there is no consent for this ecocidal project, which will destroy sacred Larrakia country, harm health and poison the oceans, waters, lands and air. As the minister for First Peoples, how are you making sure that this project does not progress without the free, prior and informed consent of the Larrakia people and other First Peoples impacted by this gas hub?
Malarndirri McCarthy NT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Indigenous Australians
2:45 pm
Thank you, Senator Thorpe, for the question. Given that Middle Arm is a focus of one of my colleagues, I will touch specifically on the First Nations element of it, and, of course, I'm sure there will be more to say in regard to Middle Arm. In terms of any First Nations organisations or First Nations people to do with construction or with development, there is always a process in each state and territory jurisdiction. It is not for the Commonwealth, in this particular instance, to focus specifically on the Larrakia people; it is for the Northern Territory government in terms of the discussions and decisions they have. But in terms of—
Sue Lines President
Minister McCarthy, please resume your seat. Senator Thorpe?
Lidia Thorpe Victoria, Independent
A point of order on relevance: this is about free, prior and informed consent. How do you get that?
Sue Lines President
Thank you, Senator Thorpe. Your question was much broader than that, and the minister is being relevant to your question.
Malarndirri McCarthy NT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Indigenous Australians
As I was about to say, we have the four land councils in the Northern Territory. Under the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act, their role is to consult with each of the language groups across their jurisdiction. The Northern Land Council covers the northern part of the Top End. You have the Central Land Council in the central part of the Territory. You have Anindilyakwa Land Council over on Groote Eylandt, and you have the Tiwi Land Council on the Tiwi Islands. It is important that through the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act, whether it's with Larrakia people or people in the western area or the Yolngu in the eastern area, there is a process they go through to provide their consent.
Lidia Thorpe Victoria, Independent
2:47 pm
You are the minister for First Peoples and a senator for the Northern Territory, yet you're willing to stand by and let your government push ahead and pour billions of dollars into destroying country. When will you properly represent First Peoples in the Territory and call for your government to redirect the $1.5 billion towards projects that will help the community and protect country and health?
Malarndirri McCarthy NT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Indigenous Australians
As a senator for the Northern Territory and, certainly, as Minister for Indigenous Australians, I'll always do my utmost to represent First Nations people across the country.
Sue Lines President
Senator Thorpe, you are not in a debate with me. I simply asked you to wait until you were called.
Senator Thorpe, come to order! Senator Thorpe, second supplementary?
Lidia Thorpe Victoria, Independent
2:48 pm
Your government won't stop the destruction of country, you won't introduce new cultural heritage legislation, you won't comply with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, you won't touch truth or treaty and you won't stop the ongoing genocide against our people. Given all of that, why do we even need a Minister for Indigenous Australians?
Malarndirri McCarthy NT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Indigenous Australians
I certainly would completely disagree with Senator Thorpe. There is a great need for a Minister for Indigenous Australians in this country to push through on Closing the Gap; to meet with our state and territory ministers, which I did on Friday; to meet with the Coalition of Peaks, who do their utmost to improve the health and livelihoods of First Nations people; and to negotiate within cabinet and with my colleagues, with their respective portfolios, on how we can reach agreement through the national agreement, which was signed by both the opposition and the government in every single jurisdiction. That's why we need an Indigenous Australians minister: to ensure that all of these things go through—
Lidia Thorpe Victoria, Independent
We need one that actually takes action, not sits on their hands.
Malarndirri McCarthy NT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Indigenous Australians
and that there is the ability to have the traineeships to ensure—
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs
Senator Thorpe continues to interject. I ask that you call her to order.
Malarndirri McCarthy NT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Indigenous Australians
I'm certainly incredibly proud of the Indigenous organisations that do their best for First Nations people across this country. (Time expired)