Brendan Nelson (Bradfield, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I also seek your indulgence to speak on the same matter. On behalf of the opposition, the alternative government, I commend the response of the Australian government, which has been both swift and appropriate, to the crisis that appears to have evolved in East Timor over the last 24 hours. The attempted assassination of the President, Jose Ramos-Horta, a great leader and friend of Australia, and also Xanana Gusmao, the Prime Minister, represents an attack on democracy. An attack of this nature, albeit in East Timor, is an attack on us and the values that are important to our country. Governance, economic reform, security and the many things that Australia, along with other nations, including New Zealand and the United Nations, have been involved in in East Timor are essential not only to the security of East Timor itself but indeed for our region and our own country.

I publicly thank the Prime Minister for the assistance that he has given in briefing us on the situation in East Timor. I also say on behalf of the opposition that there is clearly very strong bipartisan support for seeing that this fledgling democracy succeeds and that those East Timorese enjoy the same peace, security, freedoms and rights that we do in our own country, which we too often take for granted. I would also ask the Prime Minister to assist in seeing that either I or my foreign affairs spokesman are also able to travel to East Timor as soon as practicable to discuss the situation there with the leadership in East Timor, the United Nations security forces and our own military commanders on the ground. In the meantime, the government will receive all the support that it needs from the opposition. If there is any further assistance that we can provide, in any way, shape or form, to the East Timorese people, I can assure you it will be given by this side.

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