Jess Walsh (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I also rise to briefly comment on the report of the Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, led by Senator Dodson. Senator Dodson has urged us all to ensure the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples applies strongly here in Australia, and that the human rights of first peoples are recognised, respected and enacted. Senator Dodson is a true leader of reconciliation in this country.

One of the honours of serving in the Labor caucus is being invited, as a non-Indigenous senator, to our First Nations caucus. That's where I first met Senator Dodson and discovered that the legend that is the father of reconciliation is also one of the kindest and funniest humans in this place—and well beyond this place. Many of us over here are slightly destroyed by his imminent departure. We will miss the vision of a better country that he holds in his heart and in his words: the call to build and keep alight, as he has said, the camp fire on the hill; and the call to build a better country for his people and for all Australians. We know these calls will continue from a place on the country of the Yawuru people—a more quiet and beautiful place than this place, I am sure! In his beloved Australian Labor Party, we will continue to heed his calls. Thank you, Pat.