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

My question is to the Minister for Indigenous Australians. Minister, what areas of public policy will not be within the scope of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice?

Hon. Members:

Honourable members interjecting—

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

Order! The Leader of the Opposition will cease interjecting. The House will come to order. The Minister for Indigenous Australians has the call.

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

Can I thank the member opposite for her question and say that if she'd listened more carefully to the debate she wouldn't have to ask that question. In relation to the role of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice, we have been extraordinarily clear, and we have listened to the aspirations of First Nations Australians through an engagement group, through a working group and through many discussions on the ground in local communities, as well as the expert legal group. I have spoken at length with my colleagues and spoken at length with many people in this House. The answer to the question is that it is stated time and time again that the Voice will concern itself with issues that directly affect First Nations people. What I find absolutely appalling in that question—

Peter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

What does that exclude?

Honourable m embers interjecting—

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

Order! The Leader of the Opposition will cease interjecting.

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

is that you are throwing red herrings. At 3.45 on Saturday morning there was a question in the Senate, something about, 'How will the Voice affect the link road in Melbourne?' That came from Senator Cash. I don't think the Voice will have time to worry about the link road in Melbourne.

Opposition members interjecting—

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

Order, members on my left! There will be silence so I can hear from the member from Aston.