QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator McCARTHY (Northern Territory—Minister for Indigenous Australians) (14:28): Thank you, Senator Thorpe. I'd have to get the date for you as to when I was first briefed, but I have been aware of the issue for at least a month, to try and get on top of it and to find out what we can do. I am very concerned about the timeline that is left for the council to use the option of selling the properties.

I want to know that the families have choices and that the families are very much involved, so I have asked the agency to make sure it is working with the families. But I also want to be reassured that the council itself—Mount Isa council—and the Queensland government are working with me to ensure that we do not have added homelessness in Mount Isa. The PRESIDENT: Senator Thorpe, second supplementary?