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

Just a correction: I didn't meet with Noel Pearson when I was in Cairns. I met with the representatives of 13 prescribed body corporates, which are the traditional owner groups of every element of the cape. There are always going to be groups in the fringe that don't agree necessarily. Let's face it, if we in this place had to get 100 per cent, I don't think we'd ever get a parliament together. Just like in any organisation there are dissenters. I meet with those dissenters regularly, but, certainly, if there are some people I haven't already met with whom you particularly want me to meet with, I would be delighted to do so. But I don't think it's reasonable to say that the funds that are being provided and the advice that's being provided, either by the Cape York Land Council or by the 13 PBCs, doesn't represent the people of the cape.