31st Aug 2020, 5:20 PM – Representatives Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Amendment (Jabiru) Bill 2020 - Second Reading - Keep second reading motion unchanged

The majority voted in favour of keeping the usual second reading motion unchanged. In parliamentary jargon they voted for a motion that "that the words proposed to be omitted stand part of the question." This vote was put after the Opposition proposed to amend the usual second reading motion.

Usual second reading motion text

That this bill be now read a second time.

Reading a bill for a second time is parliamentary jargon for agreeing with the main idea of the bill.

Amendment text

That all words after "That" be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:

"whilst not declining to give the bill a second reading, the House:

(1) recognises the importance of Aboriginal land rights for the self-determination First Nations people;

(2) agrees that, as set out in the Explanatory Memorandum to the bill, the right to self-determination entails the entitlement of peoples to have control over their destiny and to be treated respectfully;

(3) notes that the recently introduced restrictions on the use of the Aboriginal flag are unacceptable, heartbreaking and disrespectful to First Nations people; and

(4) calls on the Government to act on matters of importance to First Nations people, including:

(a) do everything in its power to free the flag so that it can be used by all Australians, while also respecting and protecting the rights of Harold Thomas; and

(b) adequately invest in housing and essential services—including access to clean water—for First Nations people living on Native Title land".