In an equally personal attack on “ignorant” Jeremy Hanson, who earlier today accused Bourke of being  incompetent, out of his depth and the “bottom of the barrel”, the Minister said: “I am disappointed by Jeremy Hanson’s personal attacks against me today in the middle of NAIDOC Week, a time for celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and achievement.

“I fear they come from a person who, despite his role as Liberal spokesperson on indigenous affairs, will never understand the concerns of substance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia today.

“These attacks come from a person who will never understand the importance of consensus, conciliation, engagement and respect to our Indigenous community.

“In his maiden speech in 2008, Mr Hanson admitted that he needed to learn more about locali indigenous people. I believe that today he has shown that he has learnt little in the four years that have passed and that he remains as ignorant of local indigenous issues as when he came into the Assembly.

“Mr Hanson needs to realise that political forays into indigenous affairs have a far deeper impact than the perceived electoral gain he seeks.

“There are dilemmas and political conflict in Indigenous society, just as in broader Australian society, but Mr Hanson’s involvement – his ignorance – only inflames matters.

“I ask that Canberrans see this attack from Mr Hanson for what it is: a deliberate distraction from his own ignorance and lack of interest in the substantive issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.”

The ACT Liberals called for Bourke’s removal from the ministry this morning following his appearance at a re-convened Estimates Committee meeting yesterday.

Bourke was forced to apologise to an indigenous housing organisation yesterday after giving misleading answers in Estimates last week.

Hanson described the minister’s performance as “bizarre”, saying: “It has become obvious that [Chief Minister] Katy Gallagher was scraping the bottom of the barrel when she decided to appoint Chris Bourke as a minister. He has repeatedly demonstrated a lack of experience, judgement and competence required of a minister.