Mr ALBANESE (Grayndler—Prime Minister) (14:25): I thank the member for Lingiari for her question and for her extraordinary work representing remote communities in Central Australia, in Arnhem Land and in places like Wadeye and other communities, communities where we see the massive gap that exists between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australia. The referendum on Saturday did not return the result that I'd hoped for, but I respect the decision and the democratic process that produced it. In this country, we can make the big decisions peacefully and as equals. We know that referendums are hard. That's why only eight of 45 have passed, none without bipartisan support. I certainly accept responsibility for the decisions that I have taken. This was a constitutional change asked for, requested—an invitation from Indigenous Australians. I accepted that invitation and I followed through on the commitments that I made. Australians did not accept the constitutional change that was proposed, but no-one is arguing for the status quo. No-one can say that just keeping doing the same thing is good enough for Australia. What has occurred in recent times is a much greater national awareness. We need to channel that into a national purpose to find the answers. The referendum was about listening to people and about getting better outcomes, and these principles will continue to guide me. I will continue to listen to people and to communities and consult with Indigenous Australians about a way forward— Mr Rick Wilson interjecting— The SPEAKER: The member for O'Connor! Mr ALBANESE: because the issues we sought to address have not gone away, nor have the people of goodwill and good heart who want to address them. We will address them with hope in our heart, with faith in each other and with kindness towards one another, walking together in a spirit of unity and healing. The great Australian story goes back some 65,000 years. We have an opportunity as parliamentarians to write the next chapter. As a government, we have a responsibility to write the next chapter as well, a chapter that sees the gap closing because we know that only four out of 19 targets are on track as we speak. Australians know that that is not good enough, and that is why we must seek to achieve that change. (Time expired)