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

I refer to the motion, which I've only just received, by Senator Cox. I certainly appreciate the incredible passion that Senator Cox brings to this debate and the fact that Senator Cox has championed this for three years, from the moment she entered the parliament. I have always had that admiration for Senator Cox in regard to that. There is no doubt, certainly from the government and from me in the role that I have as Minister for Indigenous Australians, that this is a critical report. I am very, very grateful to the parliament and for the work that has been done. I will look very closely at the recommendations, along with my colleagues, in terms of what we can do and the issues that Senator Cox has raised. There is no doubt, for First Nations people and families across this country, that this does hit home. The fact that we've had so many women and so many of our children who are continually removed, who are certainly missing and who have been murdered, and the impact that it has on each one of us as First Nations women—not only across the country but in this parliament—hit home. But I alert the Senate that there is also a process here. To bring this in during the last five minutes, knowing that there is an opportunity to actually achieve some really strong and good outcomes in terms of this report—I would just urge the Senate to vote no because we need the time.