Senator WATT (Queensland—Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Minister for Emergency Management) (14:39): Thank you, Senator Thorpe. You're right; you have repeatedly asked this question. In fact, I think I answered it in estimates many months ago, when you asked the question of me and the officials who were there. And we do keep telling you, but I know that you keep coming back with that question. The fact is that the expert panel on the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples sought advice on this issue. The advice was simple—that is, that constitutional recognition does not in any way foreclose on First Nations sovereignty. The Uluru statement is clear that enshrining a voice to parliament in the Constitution is linked to recognising the ancient sovereignty of our First Nations peoples. The Uluru statement states, as I'm sure you're aware: With substantive constitutional change and structural reform, we believe this ancient sovereignty can shine through as a fuller expression of Australia's nationhood. That's why the Albanese government is looking forward to working with the community and all sides of politics, and I recognise there are people on all sides of politics who support recognising our First Peoples in our Constitution and there are people on all sides of politics who support doing that through a voice to parliament. We look forward to working with everyone who supports that occurring, everyone in the broader community and First Nations people, the overwhelming majority of whom support recognition and a voice to parliament. We look forward to working with all of them to achieve a voice to parliament in the Constitution through the referendum that we'll be having later this year. The PRESIDENT: Minister, please resume your seat. Senator Thorpe? Senator Thorpe: Just on relevance: the question was around the definition that was used to determine what sovereignty of First Nations people was. It was about the definition, which I still have not received. The PRESIDENT: Thank you, Senator Thorpe. I will draw the minister to that part of your question. Minister, please continue. Senator WATT: Unfortunately, Senator Thorpe, every time we have attempted to answer your questions about sovereignty—you obviously have a very strong view on this, and I know you have an agenda politically around the Voice to Parliament and it is based on this question of sovereignty. Every time we answer the question you're not satisfied with that answer, and you come back effectively asking the same question. We keep saying this to you. The PRESIDENT: Senator Thorpe, did you want to raise— Senator Thorpe: Just in terms of relevance: it's about definition. The PRESIDENT: Yes, Senator Thorpe, I have drawn the minister to that part of your question. Senator Thorpe: What is the definition of 'sovereignty' that the government are using? The PRESIDENT: Senator Thorpe, I can draw ministers to the question. I can't put words into their mouths. Senator Watt, you have a second left! Senator Thorpe, first supplementary?