Nigel Scullion (NT, Country Liberal Party, Minister for Indigenous Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I actually have not had any of those concerns. I am very close to many, many organisations that we consulted widely with as we embarked on the Indigenous Advancement Strategy. Newspapers—despite The Australian being an excellent newspaper—from time to time say, 'Look, we can't tell you the reason or our source, but they are all too terrified to speak.' But they are not too terrified to talk to me, so I just do not accept the premise that somehow people are concerned about this.

What I can say is that in this particular place we have made a promise. You have questioned me, Senator McLucas, and will question me in the future about my promise to ensure that there is not a negative impact on front-line services. So, true to that, I am going to make sure that the process is absolutely right. We need to take more time. We need to ensure that those people who should be applying have the time to apply. So I refute the premise of your question.