Peter Slipper (Fisher, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

It is unacceptable and inappropriate, and it is a situation that ought not be allowed to continue. It is one of those issues that unite the parliament. Whatever we can do to improve Indigenous health outcomes is very important—and I am very proud to be part of this government, which has done a lot in the area of practical reconciliation. But of course the job is never finished. There is always more to be done, and we ought to focus on Indigenous needs with a view to making sure that Indigenous Australians have the same life opportunities and health outcomes that other Australians do.

Having that said, this is a report—as no doubt you are likely to very shortly remind me, Mr Deputy Speaker—on Indigenous Australians at work. The effort of the committee was to look at what was happening well, look at what was happening not quite so well and bring forward recommendations which would encourage an expansion of positive outcomes and try to do away with those less than positive outcomes.

I support all of the recommendations of the committee. I do hope that the government of the day considers this report, Indigenous Australians at work, closely and carefully. I am convinced that, regardless of the result of the election, the government of the day will certainly do that and we will, in the fullness of time, see a response to this report.

I also would like to mention how sorry I am that the member for Grey is choosing to leave the parliament voluntarily at this next election. I have known the honourable member for Grey since about 1993, when we were both elected. In fact, we sat next to each other in opposition. On occasions I originally got his name wrong. I think I referred to the honourable member for Grey by the name of his predecessor, Mr Lloyd O’Neil. Having said all that, the present member for Grey has been a wonderful colleague. He has been an excellent representative for the people of Grey. Rural South Australia is losing a keen advocate and, I have to say, Indigenous Australians are also losing a keen advocate. The report is the honourable member’s valedictory report in a sense, but I wish him every success in the future. I commend him on his chairmanship and on what this report actually contains. I believe that this report, if accepted by the government, will make a real difference. I commend the report to the House.

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