David Johnston (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Justice and Customs) Share this | Hansard source

The premise that the very learned senator puts forward is that the National Native Title Tribunal members are not skilled negotiators and do not have any experience. Can I just say that most of them spend a significant amount of time—probably in excess of 50 to 60 per cent of their time—in mediation. They already have extensive skills. On top of that, the mediation that you have talked about I think augments what are already very good mediators. May I pause to say that the tribunal has received in many circumstances very good negotiated outcomes. Indeed, the government seeks to leverage off that track record.