Tony Pasin (Barker, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Indigenous Australians. Minister, where in the wording proposed to create a new chapter in the Constitution is the Voice restricted from offering advice to the government and the executive on any issue it chooses?

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

The member for Spence is warned.

The member for Barker has asked his question. He won't interject during this answer.

Government members interjecting—

The Minister for Social Services and the minister for the environment are getting very close to being warned. 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

I thank the member for Barker for his question. I'm sorry that it appears that you aren't able to read the very simple instructions for what this is about. Clause 3 makes very clear—

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

The member for Spence will leave the chamber under 94(a).

The member for Spence then left the chamber.

The member for Barker on a point of order?

Tony Pasin (Barker, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I ask the minister to withdraw. Whilst I did grow up in a household where English was not my first language, I can read.

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

I'll just ask the minister if she can assist the House.

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

I'm very happy to assist the House and I withdraw that comment. I have said on at least five or six occasions this week what the Voice is responsible for and what the second reading speech of the Attorney-General said, particularly in relation to matters that affect Indigenous people differently. I think it is patently clear.

But let me say this to the member for Barker: I have been to communities that are crying out for a different way of doing things.

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

That's not what the question was.

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

The Deputy Leader of the Opposition will cease interjecting.

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

I have been to communities where there are 30 people living in two-bedroom homes. I have been to communities where babies are drinking sweet cordial—

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

The deputy leader will cease interjecting or be warned. I can't hear the minister. If the deputy leader interjects, she will be warned.

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

I have been to communities where babies are drinking sweet cordial instead of water because it's cheaper. I have been to communities where you cannot get in and out, because of the road conditions. I have taken a friend, who died at 43 of end-of-life renal failure, to visit his son in jail. I have seen friends die in hospitals when they were very young because their conditions in their life when they were young were terrible.

Rick Wilson (O'Connor, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Trade) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Two dead women in the last week.

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

The member for O'Connor is warned.

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

So do not tell me what I do or do not know about Aboriginal Australia, and do not tell me that the proposition that the Prime Minister has outlined is not needed in this country. I am not interested in culture wars; I am interested in closing the gap.