Alannah Mactiernan (Perth, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I just want to say how completely proud and pleased I am that Pat Dodson is joining the Labor team at the next election. Pat is a truly extraordinary guy. He has been a force in the Kimberley for the last 30 years and, indeed, for at least the last 20 years, has been a major voice in the Aboriginal community within Australia.

I had the great pleasure to work with Pat very closely for, at least, a decade with regard to native title issues around the Broome area. I was very pleased to be able to work with him towards getting a fantastic settlement for the native title holders. I think it is fantastic to see the work that Pat and others have been doing with that land, ensuring that, in a very practical way, they are developing economic sustainability for their community and really building resilience.

I want to particularly say how proud I am that Pat is part of this 'empowering communities' move that is going on with Aboriginal leadership across Australia. They are showing us that we can do this very differently. I profoundly believe that Pat Dodson coming into parliament will make a real change and that we have a very real prospect, now, of turning around the fate of Aboriginal communities in Australia. (Time expired)