Julia Irwin (Fowler, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That this House:

(1)

notes that the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU):

(a)

is the focal point for global parliamentary dialogue and, as the primary vehicle for strengthening parliaments world-wide, works globally for the establishment of representative democracy, providing an unparalleled parliamentary dimension to international cooperation;

(b)

at its Assemblies, initiates debates on issues of international interest and concern in order to raise awareness and action by parliaments and parliamentarians;

(c)

defends and promotes human rights, particularly through the Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians;

(d)

stresses the representation of both genders within the ranks of parliamentarians, facilitating the participation of women parliamentarians in its forums;

(e)

encourages good governance and democratic capacity building through its programs and work with regional inter-parliamentary organisations, international inter-governmental and non-government organisations; and

(f)

supports the efforts of the United Nations (at which it has observer status), works in close co-operation with the UN and is seeking a closer strategic partnership with the UN so as to promote more substantive interaction and coordination between the IPU and the UN;

(2)

welcomes recent reforms of the IPU that were strongly supported by Australian delegations, and which have resulted in improved reporting mechanisms, including detailed and comprehensive financial statements; and

(3)

commends past and present Australian delegations for their contribution to the IPU, as reflected in the leading role taken in the work of standing committees, drafting committees, geopolitical groups and the meeting of women parliamentarians.

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