George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

Senator Siewert, I think you are making debating points rather than asking me questions now. We asked for the views of the South West Land and Sea Council, and they have said they support the bill and they want the parliament to pass it. There may be particular disputes among the South West Land and Sea Council, but I am not aware of them. That may very well be the case, but it is not relevant. The only question before the chamber at the moment is whether this bill should be passed, and the representative body of those people has asked the government to introduce this bill—we have done so—and the parliament to deal with it urgently. Although four months have now elapsed since it was first introduced, we are trying to do what they are asking us to do. There may be individual members of that community who have a different view. We are not asking for unanimity, but there is consensus.