Aboriginal minister Bess Price denied request to speak Indigenous language in NT Parliament.

By the National Reporting Team’s Natasha Robinson

A Northern Territory Aboriginal Minister has been denied permission to freely speak in her first language of Warlpiri in Parliament.

The failed request from Local Government Minister Bess Nungarrayi Price came after the central Australian MP was warned over disorderly conduct after she interjected in a parliamentary debate in Warlpiri, prompting NT Speaker Kezia Purick to declare that “the language of the assembly is English”.

“Should a member use a language other than English without the leave of the assembly it will be ruled disorderly and the member will be required to withdraw the words,” Ms Purick said in Parliament last December after receiving complaints from Labor MPs about Minister Price’s Warlpiri interjection.

Late last week — in part prompted by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull speaking an Aboriginal language in Parliament during his Closing the Gap address — Minister Price wrote to the Speaker challenging the Parliament’s interpretation of its standing orders.

“I seek clarification as to where in the standing orders it states the official language of the chamber can be English only,” Minister Price said in a letter obtained by the ABC.

“I am very concerned that our Parliament may be seen as not providing mutual respect and parity to our Aboriginal members and our constituents. I feel that I cannot effectively represent my electorate without using my first language, Warlpiri.”

Price may challenge ruling through standing orders committee

Members of Parliament in the Northern Territory are able to speak in language provided they first seek the permission of the Speaker.

Ms Purick said that has happened many times in the past, but that it was not practical to supply translators on demand.

“The official language of Australia is English, and so by nature the official language of every Parliament is English. It’s not about whether a Member of Parliament can speak in another language or not, it’s about maintaining order,” Ms Purick told the ABC.

Minister Price said she accepted it was necessary for all Members of Parliament to understand what was being said in the chamber. But she likened the NT to bilingual cultures such as Canada, where interpreting services are provided to translate French.

“I think all other countries that don’t have English-speaking parliamentarians use interpreters. The UN uses interpreters and they are made available,” she said.

“Warlpiri is one of the first languages for the first people of Australia, and Warlpiri to me is the easiest language for me to express myself in.

“I believe our languages should be acknowledged and we are forever and a day having to listen to English being spoken around us.”

In a letter to Minister Price sent yesterday, the NT Speaker said there was a standing order, number 245, that “applies to prohibit interpreters and translators on the floor of the assembly during proceedings”.

“The assembly has transacted its business in the English language since its inception in 1974 and all Australian parliaments have the same practice,” Ms Purick’s letter said.

“To be fair to all members, including others of Aboriginal heritage who may not speak Warlpiri, the assembly transacts its business in the English language. All members, as well as the general public will have more access to an open and accountable assembly if we use a common language.”

Ms Purick said it was open to Minister Price to challenge Parliament’s standing orders via moving a motion in Parliament to refer the matter to the standing orders committee.

This post originally appeared on ABC News.