Jacinta Nampijinpa Price (NT, Country Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. The last 18 months of the Albanese Labor government has seen the Labor Party spend $450 million on a failed referendum that unnecessarily divided Australians and was never going to achieve any practical outcomes to benefit Indigenous Australians or to close the gap. Does the Albanese government accept that all it has achieved to date is leaving Indigenous Australians more divided and further behind? Isn't it clear that Labor's priorities have been completely wrong, and will you finally give a straight answer on whether Labor is now pursuing a nationwide treaty?

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

First, in relation to the referendum, I appreciate that you took a different view to many in the Australian community. I would point out—you may say it was wasted—that we went to the election after having consulted with many Indigenous leaders who took a different view to the one you've outlined, and, having looked at and considered closely the Statement from the Heart and the process which led to that, we made a commitment to the people of Australia that we would hold a referendum, and we did. Obviously there was a result that we accept. We recognise that that requires a different path, and, as Ms Burney has said, that will be something this government continues to consult on—the way forward. I hope that one of the things that we did come to in that referendum campaign is, while many people did not agree with a particular constitutional proposition, that—

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

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

We lost the referendum; we accept the referendum result. But what I'm saying is I hope there is cross-party support for finding ways to close the gap and recognising the disadvantage that First Nations people face.

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

Senator Nampijinpa Price, first supplementary?

Jacinta Nampijinpa Price (NT, Country Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Fifteen out of 19 Closing the Gap targets are not on track. Systemic disadvantage continues, including tragic child and family violence. Given the policies of the Albanese Labor government are failing so miserably, will Labor finally agree to support the coalition's call for a royal commission into the sexual abuse of children in Indigenous communities?

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

This has been an issue on which there have been quite a number of discussions in this chamber, Senator. What I would say to you is this: I think the sexual abuse of children should be an issue above politics. The question is—

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

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

Minister Wong, please resume your seat.

Opposition senators interjecting—

Order on my left! Minister, please continue.

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

As others have said in this place, every child has a right to grow up safe and healthy. This has been said by many inside and outside of this place. We don't need another royal commission to tell us that concrete action is needed. The government's focus is on the immediate issue of keeping women and children safe, of ending violence against women and children in one generation, and we have provided, in the 2023-24 budget, some $589 million to support women and children's safety, including $262 million for First Nations women and children.

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

Senator Nampijinpa Price, a second supplementary?

Jacinta Nampijinpa Price (NT, Country Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Labor's policies see about $32 billion in annual Indigenous related funding, underpinning hundreds of organisations, from land councils to specialist organisations. Given the policies of the Albanese Labor government are failing so miserably, will Labor finally agree to support the coalition's call for an audit of all Indigenous policies and programs?

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

Senator, I think I've had this question before from Senator Hanson, or Senator Gallagher has. I think the answer that was given was to outline the very many audits that have already occurred into First Nations or Indigenous community organisations and entities. Of course, all of us want to make sure that money is spent where it is most useful and that we get change on the ground.

What I would say is that we already see audits having been put in place, and we will continue to work with communities to ensure—

Government Senator:

A government senator interjecting—

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

Senator McKenzie. Order!

Senator McKenzie, you rise to your feet and you wait. Senator McKenzie?

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam President, there was an interjection across the chamber—

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

Why are you on your feet?

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Personal reflection. There was an interjection across the chamber to Senator Liddle and Senator Nampijinpa Price as conservative Indigenous senators.

An honourable senator interjecting—

Yes, it was. You said, 'Take a look in the mirror.'

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

Order, Senator McKenzie. I have no idea which senator you're suggesting made the imputation. Senator Wong?

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

I regret that Senator McKenzie did not do what the President has asked previously, which is not to repeat the allegedly unparliamentary language. I think the convention in this place should be, rather than repeating it—if the request is to withdraw, that request should be made, rather than people repeating the language if there is a concern.

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

Senator McKenzie.

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

[inaudible] Senator Wong's advice, and I would seek that the senator withdraw that remark.

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

Which senator, sorry?

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Stewart.

Jana Stewart (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I withdraw.

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

Thank you. Minister Wong, you've got three seconds left.