Sharon Grierson (Newcastle, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I say to the member opposite: find compassion, not arrogance; it does you no credit. The Howard government has an appalling track record in Indigenous affairs. It is reconciliation and empowerment that are needed, not paternalistic benevolence. It is time to renew the spirit of hope and humanity in this nation.

In the brief time I have left, I would like to note that I have just received from Mark Vaile, the Deputy Prime Minister, an announcement of funding to Yarnteen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Corporation for its Indigenous Creative Enterprise Centre. I register my support for this organisation, which does a wonderful job for Indigenous people in the Newcastle and Hunter region.

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