Peter Slipper (Fisher, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

In the time available to me I want to express my very great concern over events in Tibet and the actions of the communist Chinese authorities in suppressing what I believe ought to be the democratic ability of people to express their points of view. I am a great admirer of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and I am deputy chairman of the all-party group for Tibet in this place. I have to say that the Dalai Lama is one of the people I most admire. No-one in this world has had to put up with more than he has, yet he does not seem to bear any particular grudges. When the people of Tibet express their quite reasonable concerns, the Chinese authorities clamp down on them in a way that is completely unacceptable for a country which is hosting the Olympics this year. I support the continuation of the Beijing Olympics, as does His Holiness the Dalai Lama, but I want to express my concern and I hope that the Chinese back off. Australia does not recognise the independence of Tibet. This is a country which was occupied by force by the Chinese authorities, yet the world recognises Chinese authority over Tibet. One cannot possibly support the actions against innocent Tibetan citizens carried out by the aggressive Chinese forces. I ask China to reconsider. If it wants to take its place in the world as a major power then it must respect human rights. It must respect the rights of individual Tibetan citizens. (Time expired)

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