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

I thank Senator Scullion for the question. I understand that the Leader of the Opposition has introduced a private member’s bill into the House of Representatives to override the Queensland government’s wild rivers legislation. The government is very much focused on delivering its commitment to economic development and jobs for Indigenous people. The Australian government sees economic development as one of the keys to closing the gap on Indigenous outcomes, including in the Cape York area. We must also honour our environmental and heritage responsibilities, which also present opportunities for economic and commercial outcomes.

The government respects the views of Aboriginal leaders in the Cape York area and is committed to hearing the full range of views from Indigenous people but, like most communities, they have differing views and differing perspectives on these issues. We are also interested in hearing from the broader community, industry and environmental representatives.

It is obviously a complex and controversial issue, and that is why the government intends to refer these issues for full inquiry by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics to ensure that the full story is known before Mr Abbott’s bill is debated. The terms of that inquiry will be broad and extend beyond the terms of the opposition bill to allow an open and inclusive examination of the issues. We are committed to practical ways to ensure that Indigenous people can participate in sustainable economic development. We must keep sight of the crucial place that water and river systems play in the economy and the life of the nation. Working directly with the Queensland government is also essential to resolving these issues.

We will be looking to work through the complex issues involved in this matter and have an inquiry that goes beyond some of the more limited terms of the opposition bill. I think that will allow us to come to grips with— (Time expired)