Senator WATT (Queensland—Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Minister for Emergency Management) (14:47): Thanks for the question, Senator Thorpe. As you're aware, we had a discussion about this last week in the context of Senator Dodson saying farewell to this chamber, and I want to acknowledge the fantastic work of Senator Dodson as the Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs. The PRESIDENT: Senator Watt, please resume your seat. Senator Thorpe, before I come to you, you don't need to wave your arms around. Senator Thorpe interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Thorpe, you're not in a debate with me. Senator Thorpe: Thank you, President. Relevance is my point of order. It's not a farewell speech. It's basically a question about: do you— The PRESIDENT: Yes, Senator Thorpe. You don't need to— Senator Thorpe: I don't need a farewell speech. I heard that the other day. The PRESIDENT: Senator Thorpe, please resume your seat. The minister is referring to the report which was released last week, which is going to the matters that you referred to, so the minister is being relevant. Minister Watt, please continue. Senator WATT: Senator Thorpe, I can assure you I am not giving a farewell speech. I was reflecting on the farewell speech given by Senator Dodson last week, talking about the report presented by the Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs. Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Watt, please resume your seat. Order! This is Senator Thorpe's question. She has the right for the answer to be heard in silence. Senator WATT: Senator Thorpe, as you're aware, the report of the joint standing committee on the inquiry into the application of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Australia made a number of recommendations which the government is now considering. The report included contributions from experts, organisations and community members alike. The PRESIDENT: Minister Watt, please resume your seat. Senator Thorpe? Senator Thorpe: Point of order: relevance. Once again, it was my inquiry. I was there for the inquiry—my bill. My question, to the point, is: when is the government going to enshrine our rights in this country? The PRESIDENT: Senator Thorpe, resume your seat. You've made your point of order. Senator Thorpe interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Thorpe, you are directing your response— Senator Thorpe interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Thorpe! If senators are out of order, I will call them to order. Minister Watt, I draw you back to the question. Senator WATT: I actually just said that the government is considering the recommendations of that report, which go to the matters that your bill was concerned with. It is the very spirit of the principles that underpin the declaration that mean we as a government will ensure we take the time to engage and consult with First Nations peoples in a deliberate and meaningful manner to help inform our response to the recommendations. To do otherwise would be entirely inconsistent with the very principles of the UN declaration. We must take the time to get this right. The report gave some very important recommendations in relation to the rights of First Nations people. I think our government has shown a very firm commitment to the rights of First Nations people in Australia, and we intend to back up that commitment through properly considering this report. The PRESIDENT: Senator Watt, please resume your seat. Senator WATT: I've actually finished my answer. Senator Thorpe interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Thorpe, the minister has indicated to me he's concluded his answer, so I am asking you to put your first supplementary, please. Senator Thorpe: I have a point of order. With all due respect, President, in terms of process, I was standing— The PRESIDENT: Please resume your seat. I am managing the chamber. Senator Thorpe interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Thorpe, withdraw that comment. I'm asking you to stand and withdraw that comment. Senator Thorpe: Due to the colonial powers of oppression, I withdraw the comment. The PRESIDENT: Senator Thorpe, that's not acceptable. I would ask you simply to withdraw the comment. Senator Thorpe: I simply withdraw the comment. The PRESIDENT: Thank you. Every senator in this place has the right to ask their questions, and they need to be heard in silence and they need to be heard with respect. That goes for every single person in this place. Senator Thorpe, you can't call a point of order once the minister has concluded; I'm inviting you to make your first supplementary.