QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator McCARTHY (Northern Territory—Minister for Indigenous Australians) (14:36): We've heard and seen what an intervention in the Northern Territory has done to the families of the Northern Territory. It hasn't been good. We know that there are members opposite who are also calling for an intervention into the Northern Territory, and we know— Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Thorpe and Senator Nampijinpa Price, come to order!

Senator McCARTHY: These calls that I'm getting, and this parliament hears, for an intervention in the Northern Territory—to go to the question of power of the Commonwealth. We know the Commonwealth has the power to intervene at any time, for any law, into the Northern Territory, but what we must do here as legislators is be responsible about the power that we have.

Just because we have the power to do that doesn't mean we should be using it. Senator Nampijinpa Price interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Nampijinpa Price, I have called you about four times. I expect you to come to order when I request it!