MINISTER FOR INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS, MALARNDIRRI MCCARTHY: Hi everyone. I’d like to acknowledge that we come together on the lands of the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, especially this day. I've only just learnt in the last few hours, some pretty derogatory comments by a fellow senator, in Senator Hanson, towards First Nations people in this country. I absolutely condemn the comments that Senator Hanson has made in a podcast. Yes, it may be 12 years ago, sorry, 12 months ago, but we also know that Senator Hanson has form in terms of speaking against minority groups, speaking against workers, speaking against parents who take their children to childcare, and speaking against people who are living, and people who are not living. She has no respect whatsoever. I certainly feel for First Nations people, in regards to the comments made by Senator Hanson. It's totally outrageous, completely racist, but also divides our country in a way that we do not want to see happen right here in Australia. Senator Hanson, who purports to represent the people of Queensland, I'd like to remind her that that means First Nations people. You have people from the Torres Strait Islands, Cape York, Cairns. You have people in Mount Isa, in Central Queensland, the Gold Coast area. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people that you represent Senator, and to make the derogatory comments that you have, you certainly owe your constituents from those communities an absolute apology. There is rich history in this country and you only have to travel to places like the Great Barrier Reef, to Cape York, to see incredible cultural significance. Dance, songs and stories. But that's just one part of Australia. The rest of the country is rich with First Nations culture. I do believe that, as all Australians, we have to stand up and stand out against such divisive commentary. No matter whether it's on a comic cartoon show or whether it's on a podcast, that is not the Australia I know. It is not the Australia I want to see, and I call on all Australians to condemn such commentary.
JOURNALIST: Minister, should there be a consequence for the comment? Would you consider a censure motion in parliament or something like that?
MINISTER: I’ve just learnt about these comments and they shouldn't surprise me. I came into the Senate and gave my first speech only 15 minutes after Senator Hanson. And we've seen a display over many years. What is really disappointing here is that that kind of commentary separates First Nations people unnecessarily from the rest of the country in terms of our culture, our songs, our stories. And what the Senate chooses to do, well no doubt, the Senate will decide to do, we will see in due course.
JOURNALIST: Minister, these comments have been brought to light just after the racism inquiry has been wrapped up. During that inquiry, there were a few references to the anti-racism framework that’s been given to the government but not acted on or responded to. Is this a sign that the government needs to take a stronger course of action and respond to the anti-racism framework?
MINISTER: Well, I called for the racism inquiry. That is why I wrote to the Parliament, because I was very concerned about the rise in hatred and division in this country against minority groups and in particular against First Nations people. We saw what happened at Camp Sovereignty. We saw what happened at Boorloo, Perth. And so, I called for the inquiry, so that the Parliament could look at this issue, and I'm very grateful for that, that there was bipartisan support to do that. So that's why, to see these comments now, knowing that Senator Hanson will no doubt either keep making these comments or hopefully stop right now, as she should. It is the decent thing to do, you are a representative for all people and I would expect better.
JOURNALIST: Minister, on a separate issue. Will you go to Port Hedland and see for yourself the failure of the WA Child Protection Department following reports they’ve not investigated reports of violence against children and rape, from families and caseworkers?
MINISTER: I certainly read those stories on the weekend in the Australian, deeply disturbing and incredibly difficult reading. But I am reaching out to the West Australian Government as well, to see what is going on in Western Australia, I'm happy to keep you across that.
JOURNALIST: Have you already reached out to the Department?
MINISTER: I'll be doing that.
JOURNALIST: When do you plan to do that?
MINISTER: Well, let me get through this first and I'll be in touch with you.
JOURNALIST: Minister, have you spoken to your other Indigenous colleagues in the parliament across party lines about the comments made by Senator Hanson? Has there been any discussion amongst members?
MINISTER: To be honest, I only learnt about it in the last hour or so. This has been absolutely outrageous, to actually look at this podcast and see what I've seen. And so, I think it's important to deal with it. And I know that, firstly for me, it's actually about reassuring First Nations people across the country that our government does not agree with it. And I certainly call on other politicians in the Australian Parliament to condemn it as well.
JOURNALIST: Minister, given the racism inquiry and everything that you've already heard about the impact of certain language and positions on First Nations people in Australia. What do you think the impact that this language from Senator Hanson will be on First Nations Australians?
MINISTER: That's why I've come straight out. It's impacted me as a First Nation woman. Goodness knows how my colleagues must feel. I'm certainly conscious there are other First Nations members of Parliament. I’m sure they'll speak in their own time on the matter. That's why I've come out, to reassure First Nations families across Australia, that the Australian Government, in this case, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and our caucus, do not support the comments of Senator Hanson.
JOURNALIST: What do you say to First Nations Australians who have been offended by these remarks?
MINISTER: Well, I certainly say I'm here. I'm with you. I totally reject the comments by Senator Hanson. Our First Nations culture is proud to be over 60,000 years old. We have strong stories and language and culture. And yes, we have a past in this country where many First Nations people are still trying to work out what their journey is. But as a Yanyuwa Garrwa woman I say to the people of Australia, all people, Ngambala Wiji La Wununkgu. Together. It is together when we are strong. Yo, Bauji Barra.