Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. In August 2021, in a joint release with Minister Burney, the Prime Minister said:

Labor will deliver on a national process for Treaty-making and Truth-telling …

Yesterday, on Insiders, the Prime Minister said this:

Well, Treaty is occurring. There's 400 Indigenous nations in this country. So, we're not talking about centralised operations here.

Minister, does the Albanese government support the Commonwealth engaging in treaty-making with Indigenous people at a national level?

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

Before I call the minister, I'm going to remind senators that the minister's answer needs to be heard in silence.

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

The first point I would make is a reminder about what the word makarrata means. It comes from the Yolngu people in Arnhem Land, as Senator McCarthy—

Hon. Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

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

Order!

Honourable senators interjecting—

Order! Minister, please continue.

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

Its meaning includes 'coming together after a struggle'. It is about bringing people together, and it is disappointing to see Senator Cash again—notwithstanding her leadership position—leading the charge to divide the country. What I would also say about treaty is to make the point that the Prime Minister made:

Well, Treaty is occurring. There's 400 Indigenous nations in this country. So, we're not talking about centralised operations here.

I think that is a response to Senator Cash's point. But I would also make this point, which I made last week, but no doubt Senator Cash didn't want to hear it: treaty is being progressed with bipartisan support in Queensland. Treaty is being progressed in Victoria with bipartisan support. It is being progressed in the Northern Territory and, in fact, in Tasmania, where a Liberal government has established a pathway to truth-telling and treaty. These are all good things.

I think it is disappointing that those on the other side continue, in the face of so much to gain from this process, to seek to ensure that they talk about everything but a voice to the parliament. It is disappointing, and I wish that some more senior people had joined the Prime Minister at Garma and had the opportunity to engage with leaders of First Nations on this issue to understand why this invitation has been made and why it matters to our country.

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

Senator Cash, first supplement?

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In his 2019 address to the Garma festival, the Prime Minister called makarrata the 'path to treaty' but in his address to the Garma festival this weekend, the Prime Minister didn't use the words 'treaty' or 'makarrata' at all. Again, does the Albanese government support the Commonwealth engaging in treaty-making with Indigenous people at a national level?

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

It was a good thing the Prime Minister was there. It's disappointing that we didn't see the leadership of the coalition there to listen not only to the Prime Minister but to the First Nations leaders, who spoke about why this matters to the country. I've responded. Essentially, Senator Cash is continuing to ask the same question she asked—

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes, because you don't answer it.

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

Actually, I do answer them, Senator Cash. You just don't like the answer. You don't like the answer because you are opposed to the Voice. You are opposed to a voice.

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

Minister Wong, please resume your seat. I remind Minister Wong to direct her answers to the chair. I will once again reiterate to senators that I expect silence when answers are being given.

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

The reality is Senator Cash and those opposite want to talk about anything but the Voice. The invitation by First Nations peoples to have a voice to the parliament to listen, to have better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, is not a great ask. They don't want to talk about it. They want to talk about something else. That's the tactic. (Time expired)

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

Senator Cash, second supplementary?

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In February 2021, the Prime Minister told the parliament:

A makarrata commission as outlined in the Uluru statement would oversee a national process of truth-telling, agreement and treaty.

But, in answer to a direct question in the parliament last week, the Prime Minister refused to use the word 'treaty' at all. Again, does the Albanese government support the Commonwealth engaging in treaty-making with Indigenous people at a national level?

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

I'll refer to my answer, which I've now given at least on two or three occasions on that point. I will also give you this:

I am also deeply committed to delivering a pathway to Treaty and Truth-Telling, in deep consultation and through an Aboriginal-led process.

That was Jeremy Rockliff, Tasmanian premier, on 8 April 2022. Mr Mundine said:

I've always supported treaties—

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

Minister Wong, please resume your seat. Senator Cash, I have called you to order a number of times throughout the primary, the first supplementary and the second supplementary. I'm asking you to do as I've requested and listen in silence.

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

Warren Mundine, 2017:

I've always supported treaties between governments and Indigenous First Nations.

…   …   …

I've proposed the government offer each First Nation a treaty recognising them as traditional owners of their land and sea and concluding any native title claims over those areas.

Peter Walsh, Victoria Nationals, said:

The Liberals and Nationals are committed to advancing the Treaty process in Victoria in a way that supports self-determination and reconciliation while strengthening community and connection to country.

We will continue working closely with Traditional owners and Registered Aboriginal Parties to ensure this process drives genuine progress—

This really demonstrates what you are all about. You are not interested in substance and outcome; you're interested in a political scare campaign.