Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation) Share this | Hansard source

Basically, two bills are being considered here. The first one is the APEC Public Holiday Bill 2007. This bill ensures that employees’ entitlements are preserved in relation to the APEC public holiday on 7 September 2007. I have not heard any opposition in relation to that, so I assume we have unanimity in relation to that bill.

The package of bills that has evoked some discussion has been the Northern Territory National Emergency Response Bill 2007. If I may, I will go through the Labor contribution, the Democrat contribution and then deal with the nonsensical and bizarre contribution of the Australian Greens. First of all in relation to the Labor contribution, I thank the Labor Party for its bipartisan approach on this issue. I just have a slight word of warning for them. In attacking us in relation to the money to be spent on it, as they did at question time yesterday, they really are sending out a mixed message to the Australian community: on the one hand, playing the ‘me too’ game but, on the other hand, trying to undermine us as a government. Can I suggest to them that if they really do want to be a credible government they should stop walking both sides of the road on these types of issues and come down firmly where they know in fact they should be coming down—and, that is, fully on side with the government.

Senator Evans did mention that the Indigenous community had not been heard on these matters. I understand that a former federal president of the Australian Labor Party, and of Indigenous background, Warren Mundine, is in fact supportive of this legislation. One of the real difficulties—