Pauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Minister Gallaher. Redland City Council, situated in the northern suburbs of Brisbane, is facing native title claims over roughly 3½ thousand council owned and managed properties, including Wellington Point reserve, the Cleveland Cemetery and most of the local parks and playgrounds. The Albanese government and the previous coalition government have funded the Queensland South Native Title Service with almost $71 million over a period of five years to make claims against the Redland City Council and other extensive council areas throughout Queensland. What funding has the Albanese government provided for the respondents—councils and ratepayers—to fight these outrageous claims?

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I don't have that information to hand. Unsurprisingly, I would have to go and see if there is any information that I can provide to Senator Hanson, which I am happy to. Sometimes, if people give a heads-up when they have a question that is that specific, we can prepare so that we are able to answer in more detail than I can at the moment. I accept there is a level of interest from Senator Hanson, and I am not in a position to answer that today with any information that has been provided to me.

I don't think it's unusual. The Commonwealth does provide a range of funding through the NIAA, the National Indigenous Advancement Strategy, and it may be through other arrangements that you referred to in relation to native title, whether it is through the Attorney-General's portfolio, to support organisations pursuing native title claims. As to the specifics, I would have to come back to Senator Hanson on that, and I will see there is anything I can provide.

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

Senator Hanson, first supplementary?

Pauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Gallagher, I will help you out there. In the 2022-23 financial year, the Attorney-General's Department abolished the Native Title Respondents Funding Scheme that provided a piddling $7.1 million, while self-indulgent claimants received almost $71 million to pursue already debt ridden councils. Why did the Albanese government all but abolish the funding for one and not the other? (Time expired)

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm happy to come back with some information on that. It doesn't actually fall under the portfolio of the Minister for Indigenous Affairs, whom I am representing. For those opposite who are laughing, it is, as I alluded to in my first answer, a matter for the Attorney-General, so I'm not in a position to answer, as I'm not representing that portfolio in this place. I think this was covered at estimates to some degree. I am happy to see whether there's any further information I can provide the chamber. I will ask that the Attorney do that, perhaps through Minister Watt.

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

Senator Hanson, a second supplementary?

Pauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You might be able to answer this one. Fifty per cent of Australia is already under native title, with a further 10 per cent awaiting determination. Minister, at what point will these native title claims end?

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There are processes and laws in this country that presumably will be followed, unless they are changed, and there is no intention on this side to do that. We are looking forward to putting a voice to parliament so that there are opportunities to listen to First Nations Australians and to ensure that we're driving better outcomes across the country. This is something that I think all of us on this side of the chamber are pleased to campaign for, and we look forward, over the next four to five weeks, to that positive campaign which is responding to First Nations people. It is providing recognition in the Constitution and listening about matters that directly affect them to drive better outcomes for First Nations people across this country.