Peter Lindsay (Herbert, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

I will be speaking on a matter similar to this later on tonight in the Main Committee, but in a wider context. As many of you will know, I have 8,000 Indigenous people on the electoral roll in my electorate, and I have moved very widely in the Indigenous community. I have Palm Island, which is in the Guinness book of records as the world’s most dangerous place, in my electorate. It does not deserve that title, but it has it nevertheless.

Over the years I have come to despair about Indigenous Australia. I applaud what the Howard government has done and what the Rudd government is continuing on with as an effort to make a difference, because, if we do not make a difference, we will come back here in 100 years time and find that nothing has changed in Indigenous Australia. That would be a crying shame. I was somewhat distressed by some comments made yesterday by the retiring Governor-General, because I do not quite agree with what he has said in relation to the status of Indigenous communities. I do not agree that we are doing enough, and I do not agree that Indigenous Australia is doing enough to help itself. I will outline my views on that later this evening.

I support the opposition’s second reading amendment on the Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and Other Legislation Amendment (Emergency Response Consolidation) Bill 2008. It is made for the right reasons. It is made in the interests of Indigenous Australia. I would hope that the government would find its way to be able to support that amendment as well.

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