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

I think that there is a difference between consent and consultation. We are referring to consultations with Indigenous people in the Northern Territory, while you are talking about a concept of consent before government takes policy decisions. Are you suggesting that we have to obtain consent before passing a bill? I think that there is a confusion about the two concepts. We are not saying that we have sought consent in that stronger form; we have sought to consult with people before bringing legislation before the parliament. In the end it is the parliament that makes that decision.