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

My question is to the Prime Minister. At the opening of parliament last year the Prime Minister declared, 'The Uluru Statement from the Heart represents an opportunity that must be seized and voice, truth, treaty is the result.' On 19 July the Prime Minister told 2GB's Ben Fordham that it was 'not natural' to assume treaty would follow the Voice, and stated, 'This is not about treaty.' He said that four times. Was the Prime Minister being truthful at the opening of parliament or on 2GB?

Hon. Members:

Honourable members interjecting—

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

Order! Members on my left will cease interjecting. The member for Deakin and the member for Moreton will cease interjecting. The Leader of the Opposition was heard in silence; so will the Prime Minister.

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

I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. He should know, as a member of the Queensland LNP, that the Queensland LNP and the Queensland government have advanced legislation in Queensland that the Queensland LNP—of which he is a prominent member—voted for on the matter in which he answers. That's just a fact.

But what is actually before the Australian people is a very clear proposition of recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, in Australia's Constitution, as our First Peoples. What is also before the Australian people is listening to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in order to achieve better results. He doesn't have to listen to those on this side of the House; he just has to listen to those behind him, because the member for Berowra had this to say: 'It's the status quo that is the biggest danger here. The system is broken. This is a wonderful country and we're at the top of the league tables on almost every measure, but we've got this gap that hasn't closed despite goodwill and money. Consulting people about the policies and laws that affect them, in a formal way, I think, will help.' A very constructive contribution from the person—

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

The member for New England will cease interjecting. I'll hear from the Leader of the Opposition.

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

Mr Speaker, this goes to the Prime Minister's credibility. Is he willing to demonstrate to the House where he told the truth and where he didn't, instead of this tricky tap dance?

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

The Leader of the Opposition will resume his seat. The Leader of the House?

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

From the beginning to end of that point of order it was an abuse of the standing orders—the whole thing.

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

I'll remind all members that, when taking points of order, it's simply a matter of stating the point of order not giving commentary. The Prime Minister was asked about his comments at the opening of parliament and also on media. The Prime Minister is being relevant. I'm asking the House to listen to the Prime Minister in silence.

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

I'm being relevant about the question that is before the Australian people. I say this to those opposite. If you believe that there is something wrong with the question that Australians will actually vote on between October and December this year, then put that case. But you are incapable of doing so, so the 'no' campaign continues to raise things that are not part of the question that is before the Australian people—the question that is in legislation that the Leader of the Opposition sat over there and voted for. He voted for it to be put to the Australian people.

And I say this. Over coming weeks and indeed months the Australian people will have the opportunity to have their say, to embrace the opportunity that is there for recognition and for listening to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in order to achieve better outcomes. I say: if not now, when? We need to embrace this opportunity to enlarge our nation by voting yes. (Time expired)