Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a personal explanation under standing order 190.

Leave granted.

I draw the Senate's attention to the deliberate use of derogatory words designed to damage me personally and professionally. Comments by Senator Thorpe referring to me as 'native police' carry negative historic stereotypes to increase hatred towards me and, by extension, my family. As a Yanyuwa Garrwa woman I'm very proud of my uncle, one of the longest serving police liaison officers and police trackers in the Northern Territory, and I'm proud of his daughter, who has followed in his footsteps.

My family welcomed Senator Thorpe to Yanyuwa country and embraced her. I find her communication and dialogue in this Senate towards me and my families reprehensible. I view Senator Thorpe's use of the term 'native police' as lateral violence. It makes me feel culturally unsafe in the Senate and with Senator Thorpe.

I ask all senators to be respectful in debate. We each come with our lived experiences. There is no place for harmful language against one another. Hate is not the example I want to give to my fellow Australians. No matter how much I may disagree with your views, I respect your right to have them. I want to uphold a better standard for myself and my families, and it's what I expect and believe the Australian people want of us.