Matthew Canavan (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Minister for Resources and Northern Australia) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Macdonald for his question. I know his strong appreciation of the importance of supporting development in northern Australia in particular. In many parts of northern Australia of course native title is the governing legal arrangement for the use of land. It is a different title from what most of us would expect. There are different arrangements in place. Because investments there go over a number of years, in mines, farms or other developments, there is a need for certainty to underpin investment and to underpin confidence from others around the world that they can come to this country and invest and create jobs in this country.

Because of decisions in courts earlier this year uncertainty has been introduced. The government has acted quickly to remove that uncertainty and to restore faith in the system. We should act to do that because that is what the native title holders themselves want. That is what the National Native Title Council want. They have written to the government and said that they urge parliament to consider this bill 'as soon as possible'—their words. That is what members of the National Native Title Council who represent parties in this area want.

The Queensland government have written to the government and Premier Palaszczuk said, 'I request that as a matter of urgency your government moves to amend the act.' They want the change to occur because they realise what this means for the state of Queensland and the importance of investment there. Indeed, the Australian federal Labor Party have recognised how important this is as well. On 31 March, Mr Shorten and others wrote to the Prime Minister saying, 'We're willing to work to achieve these objectives'—that is, to change the bill—'as soon as possible and we believe with the cooperation of government this matter can be resolved quickly in the next sitting of parliament.' That is what we are trying to achieve. (Time expired)