Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Thorpe, for drawing attention to someone that I know we are all extremely proud to have within our ranks, Senator Dodson; not just the father of reconciliation but, of course, a commissioner in the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. In fact, on a personal level, I think that's probably where I first became aware of Senator Dodson's incredible advocacy on behalf of our First Peoples. Senator Dodson has been a lifelong advocate for and a leader amongst First Nations Australians. I know that he's making a very strong contribution as a member of the Albanese government to deliver on those recommendations and to improve the position of First Nations people in our country every single day. I've come to regard Senator Dodson as a friend. I've learnt a lot from him. I know that he is someone of incredible goodwill and puts the needs and rights of First Nations people at the centre of what he does every single day. We can all learn from him, and we can all take up his call to do more in this area.