Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I do not want to delay the Senate any further on this issue. I must admit I am not terribly comforted. I think it again reflects the government’s failure to properly consult or deal with people whose property rights are at stake. I am putting to one side the argument about their property rights et cetera, given the land commissioner’s decision. If you have not even managed the courtesy of writing to those people or meeting with them after they have had a successful case before the land commissioner and you are now seeking to abolish those rights, it is a pretty poor performance, in my view. It reflects the sort of approach taken in this legislation which is not helpful.

I want to make it clear for Senator Kemp—as I thought I had—that I do not care what position the Northern Territory government takes on this. I take the position that we have to express a view on behalf of the Australian Labor Party in the federal parliament about whether we think something is right or fair. They are entitled to their judgements; we are entitled to ours. They may have more information than I have; they may have different priorities but, on the basis of what you have advanced today, I do not see any reason why this Senate ought to wipe out those rights. We will be voting against that.