Listening, 17th Anniversary, Stolen Generations, Canberra, Brendan Nelson, Indigenous disadvantage, open and respectful discussions.
Dr RAHMAN (Fong Lim): Madam Speaker, I thank the Member for Fannie Bay from whom I always get a lesson about listening more and speaking less. It has been humbling today to listen to everything everyone had to say. I had not planned on saying anything in particular; I have no prepared notes, so we will see how this goes.
I have no specific nexus to this issue or to the Stolen Generations, and I do not want to speak for anyone else. I had the privilege, though, of being in Canberra on the day when the Apology was given. I remember it being an emotionally charged time and issue. I remember people having a range of opinions about whether an apology should be issued, what it meant, what it did not mean and who had the authority to speak on any of the issues.
We all have a right to speak in this place on all these issues. I am grateful for the diversity of voices I have heard tonight. I do not wish to speak for anyone else. I recall clearly that Hon Dr Brendan Nelson was under extraordinary pressure not to support the Apology. It was one of the more stellar moments of his leadership that he could bring together a coalition of the willing to join forces and provide a unified, dignified and respectful position and try to move things forward.
I can honestly say, hand on heart, for what it is worth that I am proud to be part of the government. I believe in the sincerity of all my colleagues on this side of the Chamber. I believe in their commitment to want to make things better for all Territorians and Indigenous Territorians.
Indigenous disadvantage begins with education. People who have represented electorates out in the bush and have a deep and abiding connection to Indigenous communities are entitled to vent frustration at the fact that in the last 17 years we have not managed to progress a range of things we aspired to in that National Apology.
I do not have any answers. I am grateful we had the opportunity to hear from everyone today on these issues. It is only by having open and respectful discussions that we can move the agenda forward.
I did not know the Member for Daly until last December when we were both forced to be at the Scrutiny of Legislation Conference in Victoria, briefly. I got to know him a little as a human being, and he is not a bad bloke. I would like to hear his grandad’s story at some point.
I think it is great that everybody could make a contribution today and recognise the anniversary of the Apology.
Madam SPEAKER: I pay my respects to the Stolen Generation of the Northern Territory on this 17th anniversary of the National Apology. I acknowledge the pain and suffering they have experienced, and I wish them peace, love and kindness going forward.
I, too, would love to have heard the story of your grandparents, Member for Daly, because they come from a part of the world that I know well, at the top of the Clarence River. Maybe we can have a cup of tea one day, and you can tell me the story.