QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator McCARTHY (Northern Territory—Minister for Indigenous Australians) (14:35): I think what is important here is that there is a coronial investigation underway. There is a police investigation underway. We want to make sure that the words we use do not jeopardise, certainly, that legal investigation that's underway.

In terms of the roles of the NT Children's Commissioner and— Senator Thorpe: On a point of order on relevance, this isn't about the coronial inquest or anything else; this is about the child placement principles. The PRESIDENT: The minister is being relevant to your question, and I will continue to listen carefully. Senator McCARTHY: Senator Thorpe, what's important here is that the NT Children's Commissioner and the National Children's Commissioner are heard in terms of what they are requesting of the Northern Territory government.

The PRESIDENT: Senator Thorpe, second supplementary?