Sussan Ley (Farrer, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Is there any issue on which the Voice will not be able to provide advice to government? And is the Prime Minister able to factually respond without taking personal offence to reasonable questions and without his usual indignation?

Hon. Members:

Honourable members interjecting—

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order, members on my left, the member for Groom and members on my right! The question was in order. I give the call to the Prime Minister.

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I keep the Uluru Statement from the Heart, framed, on the wall of my office. It uses such an economy of words, but it demonstrates such a generosity of spirit. It is a patient, gracious call to hear the First Peoples of Australia—for them to have a say. The concluding words of the statement are these:

We invite you to walk with us in a movement of the Australian people for a better future.

This is an invitation to all of us as Australians, right across Australia. And I do see more and more Australians taking up this invitation.

On 17 April, I'll be with a former member of this place, the former Liberal member for Macarthur, Pat Farmer. Pat Farmer is, of course, an ultramarathoner and fitter than anyone who is still here now! He is going to run 14,000 kilometres in a six-month run around Australia in support of constitutional recognition and a voice to parliament. That's 80 kilometres a day, beginning in Hobart. He will be seen off by the Tasmanian Premier—who I've spoken to, about him being in attendance—and the Tasmanian opposition leader, as well. Pat will pass through every state and territory.

Yesterday, the Collingwood Football Club announced their support. In a statement, they said this:

The Board's support for a First Nations Voice to Parliament is a natural progression of our commitment to doing and being better.

Many, many other groups—

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I will hear from the Deputy Leader of the Opposition.

Sussan Ley (Farrer, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On relevance, Mr Speaker: I thank the Prime Minister for his calm manner. However, he is not addressing any part of the question at all, which is about issues on which the Voice will not be able to provide advice.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Deputy Leader of the Opposition will resume her seat. The question was about the issues surrounding the Voice and advice to the government. I'm listening carefully to the Prime Minister. He has provided some background context, and I'll ask him to return to the question.

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It also went to the nature of the way that I'm answering the question. If the deputy leader didn't want that, then she should have framed the question in a less personal way.

What I do note is that, overwhelmingly, there is goodwill from school groups, community groups, local councils—all want to be a part of the historic, unifying moment. There are sporting organisations; leaders of every faith in Australia; seven religious charities, including St Vincent de Paul and the Salvation Army; minerals groups like BHP, Rio Tinto, Origin and Wesfarmers; NAB, the Commonwealth Bank, ANZ; Woolworths and Coles. All of these bodies are uniting for a better Australia—uniting in a positive way. I'd say that those people of goodwill will continue to advocate for a 'yes' campaign when the referendum is held. (Time expired)