Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

The Albanese government supports the Voice because we believe it's important to give people a say on issues that affect them and to give us all the chance to make a practical difference that improves lives. We also believe we have an opportunity, together, to bring people together to bring about a better future—an opportunity for a unifying moment for our country. Unfortunately, rather than looking at the opportunity for the nation, the opposition are still taking the approach of Mr Morrison to look for opportunity for themselves. That is why they want to talk about everything other than what a voice will do, because they actually know Australians don't find the current situation experienced by Indigenous Australians acceptable. So I say to all senators the future of our country is more important than our political futures, and I ask senators to reflect on whether they want to use the soul and fabric of our nation as a political battleground. (Time expired)