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

I can. One of the reasons I and the government are so supportive of this project is that it is supported by the traditional owners of the land. It's supported by the traditional owners of the land, the Wangan and Jagalingou people, who are the owners of where the mine is. Those peoples met in Maryborough last year and voted 293 to one in favour of the project, but those over there, the Labor Party over there, want to ignore a 293 to one result and deny those people the jobs.

This week, Patrick Malone, who's a traditional owner from the Wangan and Jagalingou people, said that the land agreements with the mining companies 'are the first time we have been given an opportunity to be partners in the ongoing management of our country'. Who are we to deny the First Australians in this place their opportunity, their privilege—they have the same opportunities that we all have in this place—for a decent job so they can pay their bills, afford to buy a home and afford to put their kids in a good school? That's what we stand for on this side of the chamber.