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

I'm afraid I'm not going to be providing guarantees of the kind that you're looking for, Senator Cash, just as I didn't provide the guarantees you're looking for in the IR debate and that I know you're fond of seeking. But I have said repeatedly now that members would be chosen from each of the states, territories and the Torres Strait Islands, and the Voice would have specific remote representation as well as representation for the mainland Torres Strait Islander population.

Senator Cash, you seem to be finding it strange that matters involving the Constitution and how it operates would be left to the parliament. But, as you well know, that's exactly how the Constitution works. When the original Constitution was put together in 1901 and passed, it didn't specify exactly what kind of navy we should have; it didn't specify all sorts of things that we should have. It set out broad principles. The parliament's job is then to elaborate on that. So, again, I'm not quite sure why you expect a higher or different standard for this than for any other part of the Constitution. But I have the full confidence in the parliament, in its ability to make these decisions. Again, I would hope that you and your colleagues would participate in that when the time comes, if the referendum is passed.