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

My question is to the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Minister McCarthy. On Monday, Senator Roberts asked you if the Albanese Labor government supports the Miles state Labor government secretly giving away freehold land to Aboriginal corporations with little or no community consultation beforehand. You said:

There are no secret deals going on; there's no secretiveness in any of this.

Could you please share with the Senate the details of the land transfer plans that are currently underway in Queensland in the towns of Augathella, Boonooroo, Croydon, Duchess, Eurong, Happy Valley, Laura, Maryborough, Mount Isa, Rainbow Beach, River Heads, Roma, Thargomindah, Theodore and Toobeah?

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

I certainly acknowledge the question from One Nation, which continues, again, in the same form of implying secrecy. I answered the question on Monday, and I repeat again to the Senate that the work of the Queensland government is very critical in terms of all of those places that you've mentioned, Senator Hanson.

I don't know why you don't speak to the Queensland government. Why don't you speak to the Indigenous affairs minister for Queensland? You might even be able to get a briefing about all of those particular areas of land. I will just point out: please, One Nation, do not demean and do not weaponise this Queensland election against the First Nations people of Queensland.

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

You claim there is no secretiveness or secret deals, so please explain where I can go to read the details of these land transfer deals. Please assist the people of Queensland by informing them of where this information has been published or presented in any way to the public.

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

I'm very pleased to repeat my response here. One Nation, you are very welcome to go to the Queensland government to find out the information that you are seeking on matters that are impacted by the Queensland government.

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

Senator Hanson, second supplementary?

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

Don't forget, Minister McCarthy, that you made the comment there was no secretiveness. So either you are very naive, ill-advised or misleading the Senate, because Queensland Premier Steven Miles has stated that these applications—

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

Senator Hanson, please resume your seat. Minister McCarthy.

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

I ask that the senator from Queensland withdraw her comment which is impugning on my character.

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

Senator Hanson, if you would withdraw the comments you made in particular around the minister.

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

I'll withdraw.

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

Thank you. Please continue, Senator Hanson.

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

Queensland Premier Steven Miles has stated that these applications under the Queensland Aboriginal Land Act are treated confidentially. Also the former LNP president, now Mayor of Goondiwindi Regional Council, told me that it was confidential and they couldn't inform the public. If the details of these deals are being kept confidential by Labor, isn't that the definition of 'secretiveness'?

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

I refer to my first answer—that is, One Nation is very welcome to approach the Queensland government and the Indigenous affairs minister, as is appropriate in these situations.