Bob Day (SA, Family First Party) Share this | Hansard source

Mr President, my question is to the Minister for Indigenous Affairs. Minister, whilst I am encouraged by news yesterday out of my home state that, in order to open up job opportunities, penalty rates have been reduced, this will not, however, benefit people elsewhere in Australia, particularly those in remote regions. On this point, I note that an Aboriginal person, for example, living in a remote region can hunt kangaroos, turtles and dugongs; enlist in the armed forces; get married; have children; buy a house; and vote. But they cannot take a job under terms and conditions which they decide are best for them. Minister, the social costs of unemployment amongst Aboriginal people—poor health, depression, substance abuse, crime, domestic violence, teenage pregnancy and even suicide—are so horrendous. Why are they not permitted to make up their own minds about getting a job?

Senator Cameron interjecting—