16th Feb 2017, 9:50 AM – Representatives Motions - Native Title Amendment (Indigenous Land Use Agreements) Bill 2017 - Suspend rules to let vote happen

Tony Burke wanted to move the following motion:

That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the Manager of Opposition Business from moving the following motion forthwith:

That the House:

1. notes that:

(a) yesterday, the Government introduced legislation amending the Native Title Act;

(b) the Government has had six months notice that legislation of this type might be required and has taken no action until this week; and

(c) the Leader of the House has given notice of his intention to force this bill through all stages of debate before 2 pm today;

1. affirms the effect of the Government's approach means that Members of the House will be compelled to vote on a change to the Native Title Act without having had a chance to conduct any consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities;

2. condemns the Prime Minister for condoning a failure to consult with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in the same week where he quoted the words of Chris Sarra "Do things with us, not to us"; and

3. calls on the Government to abandon this approach and allow time for proper consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.