Senate Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee, , 6:37:36 to 6:41:21
Questions regarding 'Colonial Loading' payments at community legal services and universities, and the use of Commonwealth funding for such conditions.
Topics: First Nations, Workplace culture, Government spending
Speakers: Senator Malcolm Roberts, Hon Malarndirri McCarthy, Senator Karen Grogan, Unknown Speaker
>> Thank you. I just want to return chair to a topic I raised a little while ago. Um, Minister, are you aware that uh Caxton Community Legal Service, which apparently is funded in part by the Commonwealth government and receives grants, pays First Nation staff um a colonial leave, Colonial Loading payment of 4% on top of
>> I'm not familiar with what was the first name you said there, Senator Roberts.
>> Colonial Loading.
>> No, no, no. the the organization
>> Cton Community Legal Service.
>> Where is that located? >> And that is a private company, >> a private business.
>> It's it's according to seek um it's it's advertising this this condition, Jackson Legal Service.
>> Uh Senator Roberts, I'm responsible for uh the work that our agency does with First Nations organizations across the country. I'm not familiar with the legal service that you're referring to. Uh I can certainly point out that um as we've answered in previous questions to you [clears throat] that uh if people have any issues with their workplace, they can perhaps go to their unions.
>> So we're concerned that taxpayer money is is being used to fund this, which is
>> Senator Roberts, can I just um maybe just give you a little bit of guidance here? The organization that you're referencing, can you give us their status? Like is it a is is it a you're calling it taxpayer fund?
>> Community legal service. money in part from the Commonwealth government.
>> Do you know what for?
>> Through services and also through grants. That's what we believe. >> So I'd like the minister to check up on that.
>> Well, Senator Roberts, given that you're not clear on the details, I'm not sure that you can expect the minister to be clear on the details either. If you want to put a case study or a scenario, then I think there's some more detail that may be required.
>> I'd like to know if the minister the
minister to answer.
>> I I understand that, Chair. I'd like to know if the minister can assure me that money is not being spent on a racist racist biased uh organization.
>> Senator Roberts, I am not familiar with this organization.
>> Well, could you make yourself familiar, please?
>> Excuse me. And community legal services uh do not come under uh the purview of my responsibilities. Attorney General.
>> Okay. Okay. If you don't want to, we will we'll do the research.
everyone just calm down? Senator Roberts, I'll ask you to be a little bit more respectful. If you don't mind, um I think if you're putting a case to if you're putting a case to a minister and you don't have the details, then I don't think you've really got the right to then start be aggressive towards that minister.
>> Well, I'm not being aggressive, Minister. I'm
>> interpreting it, Senator Roberts.
>> Maybe your interpretation, but I'm I'm adopting your your position where you said suggested that I do the research. We will.
>> Great.
>> But Robert, can I suggest though >> um even though it doesn't come under community legal services don't come under the indigenous Australians portfolio? Can I suggest you put that question to the attorney general's um
>> certainly
>> committee?
>> What about universities specifically the University of Wongong? Do they have something similar to a a cultural loading payment colonial loading
We are not responsible for the University of Melbourne.
>> So you're not aware.
>> We're not responsible.
>> Neither you nor the NIA are aware of these cultural leave loadings. >> Thank you. That's all I need to know.
>> Great. Senator, are you finished? Senator Roberts. No, you're all done. Senator Shoebridge.