Patrick Dodson (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That—

(a) the following matter be referred to the Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs for inquiry and report:

The application of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) in Australia, with particular reference to:

(i) the international experience of implementing the UNDRIP,

(ii) options to improve adherence to the principles of UNDRIP in Australia,

(iii) how implementation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart can support the application of the UNDRIP, and

(iv) any other related matters;

(b) in conducting the inquiry, the committee may consider the relevant evidence and records of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee relating to its inquiry into the application of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Australia in the 46th Parliament; and

(c) further consideration of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Bill 2022 be made an order of the day for the first day of sitting after the committee presents its report.

Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

by leave—I move:

Amend paragraph (a) as follows—

(a) the following matter be referred to the Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs for inquiry and report by 13 October 2022:

The application of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) in Australia, with particular reference to:

i. the international experience of implementing the UNDRIP,

ii. options to improve adherence to the principles of UNDRIP in Australia,

iii. how implementation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart can support the application of the UNDRIP, and

iv. any other related matters;

Patrick Dodson (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

nator DODSON () (): I seek leave to make a short statement.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Patrick Dodson (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This is a reference to a new committee. The committee hasn't yet had a meeting. It's a complicated subject, and the committee, I think, ought to be accorded some curtesy as to the time line of the workload and be given the capacity to do its work of due diligence and to report back to this chamber at a time that it feels it can undertake the task. It will deliver a report that will be so crucial to the future directions of our nation.

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

The:

Leave is granted for one minute.

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Whilst we have some sympathy for Senator Thorpe's desire to have a reporting date on this particular referral, we also understand the importance of allowing a committee, newly formed, to have the opportunity to explore the time lines that it may require to fully and respectfully administer to the requirements of that referral. So we won't be supporting Senator Thorpe's amendment to this particular referral, but we do put on the record that it would be our desire for time lines for reporting back on referrals to committees to be something that be considered in referrals so that we have an understanding of the duration of particular referrals. In recognition of the newness of this committee, Senator Dodson, we will support your motion unamended.

Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a one-minute statement.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There being no objection, leave is granted for one minute.

Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This inquiry started last year when I introduced the private senator's bill. I understand that it's not within the system that you use here in parliament—that an amendment happens to a private senator's bill—so I'll make that point. It's out of the ordinary, which I keep hearing every day. We've got to stick to the agenda. This is a little bit outside the agenda, so I think that's been an interesting process.

As I said, this inquiry started last year. It's already received a number of submissions, and people have waited long enough to have our rights adhered to in this country, so a reporting date is important. I hope this isn't pushed out as part of a delay process.

Question negatived.

Original question agreed to.