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 Gallagher. Does the Prime Minister agree with Labor's candidate in the seat of Dunkley that the referendum result was a display of 'the worst white privilege in the country'?

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

I thank Senator Nampijinpa Price for the question. I haven't seen those comments, but I think the Prime Minister has made it very clear that we accept Australian voters decision on the referendum. It wasn't a position we argued for. We supported a Voice to Parliament. It was unfortunate that it got so political and contested.

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

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

No, I do. But we accept the outcome of the referendum and we are focused on making a practical difference for First Nations people in this country. That is the Prime Minister's focus, that is the Minister for Indigenous Affairs' focus. My colleague Senator McCarthy and all of us, we are focused on jobs, on housing, on education, on community support, on making a difference. I think we all accept in this chamber that the information that was released in Closing the gap shows that we have a long way to go to meet the needs of and support Indigenous communities across this country. That is the focus of this government.

The candidate for Dunkley is an excellent candidate for the Labor Party. She's been a strong advocate for women in her electorate. She was recruited by the late Peta Murphy when she was the member for Dunkley because she saw the qualities that Ms Belyea will bring to this parliament, the difference she will make. We stand by her. We support her. I have no doubt she will be an excellent member for Dunkley.

I haven't seen the comments that Senator Nampijinpa Price refers to, but I again refer the senator to the work that the government is doing and the position the Prime Minister took post the election.

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

Does the Prime Minister believe the 56,000 voters in Dunkley who voted no were motivated by white privilege?

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

My answer is the same. We accept the outcome of the referendum. We accept that a majority of Australians did not support the question that was put to them. The government remains focused on the serious work at hand.

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

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

I know you'd like to try and create more division and more disharmony. That is the go-to of the opposition. You've never seen an issue that you don't want to then have a crack at and oppose. We are focused on making a difference for the lives of First Nations people. The sobering Closing the gap report that has been recently released should refocus all of our attention on the gaps that exist and the work that needs to happen. Whether it's ensuring quality, secure jobs, delivering housing into communities where it's needed, supporting children to go to school and get the education they need, that is the focus of this government.

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

Senator Nampijinpa Price, your second supplementary.

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

Does the Prime Minister believe Ms Belyea's comments regarding the motives of no voters are reflective of the community she is seeking to represent?

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

I think you've answered that question.

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

GALLAGHER (—) (): Thank you, Senator McCarthy, I have. I've answered that question. The Prime Minister has been clear, post the referendum, we accept the result of the referendum. The focus of the government, as it has been since day one, has been on supporting programs, including community led programs, to close the gap.

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

Order, Senator Rennick!

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

I know you want to talk about everything else.

Gerard Rennick (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You hate white people!

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

You can keep screaming at me, Senator Rennick—

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

Order, Senator Rennick.

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

but the issue here is about closing the gap for Indigenous Australians. That is what we are focused on.

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

Minister Gallagher, please resume your seat. I have called order two or three times. Senator Rennick, you are out of order and being disrespectful. When I call order, it includes you. Senator Rennick?

Gerard Rennick (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On a point of order: she wasn't answering the question.

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

That's not a point of order. The minister is being relevant. Minister, please continue.

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

I have answered the question. You don't like the answer, Senator Rennick. They are two different things. The Prime Minister has made it clear that the work we are doing in government is to deal with closing the gap in those priority areas that we are focused on and that the Minister for Indigenous Affairs is leading, ably supported by every single one of us in this caucus who wants to make a difference and close the gap, not talk about everything else.