James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Shadow Assistant Minister to the Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator McCarthy, for that indulgence. I thank you, Senator McCarthy. I think you have been a very humane, empathetic voice during the course of this committee process, and I have been watching it very carefully. I think you've done your best to contribute to the conduct of this debate in a very professional and respectful fashion. I deeply appreciate that, and I deeply appreciate and listen very carefully to every contribution that you make in this place. I want to convey that to you. I think that has assisted this chamber greatly. Firstly, I thank you for that, and you have my deep and abiding respect.

Can I say—through you, Temporary Chair O'Sullivan—to Senator Whish-Wilson: I understand you are passionate about these issues. I do understand that. But please know that there are people on this side of the chamber who have a deep fear that what is being presented is dividing Australia instead of bringing us together. One of my heroes is Neville Bonner. He was a senator who represented all Queenslanders. I believe every single institution in our Constitution should be open to the full and equal participation of all Australians, and that is the point of principle where I have a fundamental objection to what is being proposed. With respect to your comment regarding detail, the fact is that we still do not have the detail. That was manifest tonight on so many levels. There is no detail. There is a bill with 303 words, and on that basis, the government is seeking a mandate to change our Constitution forever. I think it is very, very legitimate for those on this side of the chamber to raise questions.

The third point I'd like to make is: where are those asking questions with respect to the information that was disclosed by my good friend Senator Liddle yesterday in the debate, with respect to the views of elders from the Northern Territory and their concern? That causes me a lot of concern with respect to what has actually happened during the course of this process. There is deep concern. I think everyone here needs to reflect deeply on that. I certainly am looking to make further inquiries to answer the question: how did we get into this position where some of our elders, as passionately put by Senator Liddle, are so aggrieved by this process? How is this bringing us together? How did we get to this position? Are we reflecting on the fact that in 1967 over 90 per cent of Australians—it was almost unanimous—supported the constitutional referendum, and now here we are at 50-50. Whatever happens at the referendum, I will certainly be doing my best not to be personal in terms of how the debate is conducted. Whatever happens in the referendum, I will certainly be acting in good faith to respect the decision of the Australian people.