Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, earlier today you were present in the members' hall when we witnessed the unveiling of the quite magnificent portrait by Dr Jandamarra Cadd of Nova Peris, the first Indigenous woman to be elected to the Senate. Present were Ken Wyatt, the minister for Aboriginal affairs, as well as Linda Burney, Patrick Dodson and Malarndirri McCarthy, as well as Nova Peris's family.

It is indeed a magnificent portrait. It portrays her with bare feet, with her feet on the ground—a strong Indigenous woman.

We can be very proud, I think, as a nation, that we are starting to see Indigenous people in their rightful place in the House of Representatives and in the Senate. Nova Peris gave a magnificent speech. It was a good occasion. I encourage all members, senators, staff, and, importantly, visitors to this great Parliament House to have a look at the portrait of Nova Peris, a great Australian, who represented Australia—and was a gold medallist—at the Olympic Games, the first Indigenous woman to do so. She was a gold medallist in the Commonwealth Games. She was a fine representative and a great spokesperson for her people. She is someone that all of us, regardless of where we come from politically, can be very proud of.

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