Linda Burney (Barton, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Hansard source

Child sexual abuse is abhorrent. Every single person in this chamber is of that view. No matter where we live, our children have a right to grow up safe and healthy. Let me assure this chamber that, as a First Nations woman with decades of experience in education and child protection, I know the best way to protect children is to work with communities. I was the Minister for Community Services in the New South Wales parliament. I saw the worst of what could happen to children when they were abused. I dealt with it on a daily basis—years and years of experience. I am focused on concrete actions that make a difference. Establishing a royal commission does not mean concrete actions, on the ground, directly with local communities.

Yes, I did go to Alice Springs. In Alice Springs, as I said previously, I met with Territory families, I met with women's services, I met with children's services and I met with youth services, and none of them raised with me the issue of a royal commission into Aboriginal sexual assault. They raised with me—

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