Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Northern Australia) Share this | Hansard source

The opposition welcomes passage of the government amendments on sheet SV110. As previously stated, the opposition has worked with the Bungala and Adnyamathanha peoples to ensure this bill reflects their preferences. In doing so, we sought two actions by the government. First, the government clarified the effect of this bill on the site nominations process, which was done in the explanatory memorandum with the addition of the following passage: 'Recognition of the three short-listed sites confirms the sites as being nominated and approved under the act, but does not limit the minister from approving new nominations. The minister may declare any approved nomination as a site and is not bound to declare one of the three short-listed sites.'

Second, we welcome the minister's commitment that listing the Wallerberdina Station site recognises the short-listing stage of the site selection process only. It is not intended to signal a change in the government's assessment of that site, and the government has not changed its position that it will not impose a facility on an unwilling local community.

With these actions by the government and the passage of the amendments on sheet SV110, I can advise the chamber that the opposition will not be proceeding with the amendments that have been circulated on sheet 1042, revised 2, and sheet 1322.