Arkaroola Protection Bill

This speech is to indicate that the Liberal Party will support the amendment regarding the Arkaroola Protection Bill.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: The Liberal Party will support the amendment as well. For reasons of inclusivity we do not see that it does any harm. Anybody who is familiar with Aboriginal politics would know there are diverse views among Aboriginal people, and we do not see any reason why other groups should not be included in the legislation.

In addressing that I also make some remarks in relation to the timing of this particular bill. We are now in the second sitting week of this parliamentary year. I have heard some comments from some stakeholders that they were concerned that the bill was being delayed. I state for the record that the Liberal Party has had no part in that. These amendments were tabled on Thursday of the last sitting week and they have gone through our due diligence process. Certainly if there had been no amendments perhaps this bill could have been debated earlier this year. I would like the community at large to be well aware that the Liberal Party has not had any part in delaying the progress of this bill.