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

I think it is disappointing that Senator Scullion has again pursued this issue in this way. As I said to him yesterday, there has been bipartisan support for the Northern Territory intervention. Despite some misgivings we had about some of the detail at the time, the now Prime Minister immediately supported the then Prime Minister, Mr Howard, in the intervention and provided bipartisan support.

We have also seen in recent times the apology to the stolen generation which, again, engendered bipartisan support. My view was that there was an emerging consensus in politics in this country of the need to have a bipartisan approach to Indigenous affairs. Successive governments on both sides have failed to properly support Indigenous people so that we have these terrible issues that blight Indigenous communities and the terrible figures on health and life expectancy.

In terms of the debate the other night, I have looked at what Senator Crossin said and I think you have to put all her comments in context. I also understand that Senator Crossin issued a statement yesterday clarifying her position. She apologised if anyone construed her remarks to suggest that all instances of child sex abuse and neglect are not matters of the greatest significance. She restated her view that child sexual assault is completely unacceptable and must not be tolerated.

As I said through you, Mr President, to Senator Scullion yesterday, I think that is the view of all senators around this chamber and I think it does not help anyone to have people accuse others of, in some way, supporting child sex abuse. It is an area where there has been unanimous support around the parliament in a range of committees and inquiries to try and better protect children in our community. Senator Crossin has been at the forefront of those efforts, advocating for Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory and for Aboriginal children. I reject some of the accusations made in the senator’s question—