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. Yesterday the minister said in this House, 'I call on everyone involved in this referendum to act respectfully.' Yesterday, government appointee Marcia Langton told David Crowe, 'I'm saying the claims being made by the No case are based in racism and stupidity.' Does the minister believe Professor Langton's comments accord with her request for everyone involved to act respectfully?

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. I want to, again, say this. Everyone in this debate should act respectfully and with care for one another. This referendum is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our Constitution. If we miss this moment, it's gone forever. Recognition should be an issue that is above politics. There are no second chances here.

The tone of the debate in this parliament matters. There must be a mutual respect here. We must be guided by love and by faith—love for our fellow Australians and faith in a better future.

I do not know how Australians will vote on 14 October; none of us do. What I do know for certain is this: we are the greatest country in the world, and we can be even greater if we embrace recognition—if we pay respect to and celebrate the 65,000 years of culture and tradition of First Nations people; if we listen, through a Voice, to some of the most disadvantaged communities in our country. We must listen.