Nicola Roxon (Gellibrand, Australian Labor Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

And I am also addressing the actual budget initiative to which your question went, which was changes to the native title system. I am also going to the member for Blair's question, which I believe I am also entitled to answer. Those changes go directly to the system. If the member wants to ask questions on behalf of his Western Australian colleagues about matters that, 20 years ago, were put by a previous Labor government and rejected by a previous Liberal government, then so be it. Put those questions in question time. They are not a matter for the budget. They are rehashing and revisiting and trying to rewrite history. You need to go back and talk to the previous premier, Premier Court, about why he rejected those offers.

What is before us at the moment in this budget is a strengthening of the native title system and an ability for us to speed up determinations for the benefit of both native title claimants and those who have interests in using the land in other ways. The government is very proud to be able to recognise this anniversary and improve the system of native title.

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