Steve Irons (Swan, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

On indulgence, today I rise to talk about the sixth anniversary of the Bali bombings and would like to recognise the contributions by the members for Cowan and Solomon. Today I will talk about the Bali bombings, which took the lives of 202 people in the district of Kuta in 2002. We as Australians, and as Western Australians, shared this tragedy with the people of Indonesia and the rest of the world. With the deaths of 88 Australians and the injuries to many others, the dark shadow of terrorism finally came to meet Australians face to face in the home of one of our nearest neighbours. In Bali, the holiday playground for many Australians, the peaceful, idyllic destination’s ambience was shattered forever with that terrorist act. It brought home to all Australians how cowardly terrorists use senseless and brutal acts as well as fear, violence and death as their tools to achieve their religious and fanatical beliefs.

This was a tragedy for the peace-loving Balinese, who welcome all Australians and many other world visitors to their beautiful island. They shared the pain and tragedy suffered by many Australians and others around the world who lost loved ones. The Balinese and Indonesians also shared our strength in overcoming its devastating toll. Now, six years after the tragic events, we recognise the distance our two countries have travelled not only in overcoming this tragedy but in building a world where extremists and terrorists do not dictate our existence. Out of this tragedy, we have strengthened the relationship between Australia and Indonesia, and we are closer now in 2008 than ever before. We have found new strength not only between our governments but also between our people and our cultures.

Australia has long been a friend and ally of Indonesia, our closest neighbour. At the closest point between the two countries, there is less distance between Australia and Indonesia then there is between Sydney and Canberra. By being so close we have been able to share in great opportunities for relationships to grow on so many levels. The close proximity of our two countries has also meant that the security and prosperity of Australia is intimately linked with the security and prosperity of Indonesia, and we as a nation are committed to growth and stability for their nation and the region.

We stood by Indonesia as they fought for their independence in 1948. Now, in 2008, and with Indonesia’s population nearly ten times that of Australia, we stand with them once again as they face a new set of challenges. We have helped strengthen the institutions and practices of democracy and we have helped to improve security and stability through support for counterterrorism work, conflict prevention and humanitarian assistance. We have helped increase the accessibility and quality of basic social services, particularly in education and health. The bombings have driven our government organisations closer than ever before. Our Federal Police now work in coordination with Indonesian authorities to stop drug trafficking, money laundering and people smuggling. We have developed stronger trade relations in areas including agriculture, mining and industry.

Western Australia in particular has established strong and profitable trading relationships with Indonesia which have largely weathered Indonesia’s economic woes. These strong relationships led to WA becoming one of the first states to establish a trade office in Indonesia. In 2002-03 Indonesia and Western Australia undertook bilateral trade totalling almost $2.2 billion. Western Australia imports more from Indonesia than it does from any other country. On a personal level, Australians are more aware now of the Indonesian culture as we continue to look at ways to better educate others on the lifestyles and cultural challenges that face Indonesian people. We have also developed a greater understanding of the Muslim faith and the challenges it presents.

As recognition of the magnitude of the effects of the bombings on the people of Indonesia, a team of Western Australians travelled to Bali in 2007 to build the Australia-Bali Memorial Eye Centre. The $7 million facility was funded by the Australian government and gifted to the Indonesian people to provide an eye clinic and day surgery in Indonesia. As we remember the tragic events that took place in the district of Kuta, in Bali, on 12 October 2002, we recognise how far our two countries have come and acknowledge how much we still have to offer one another as we try to live in a world where extremists do not dictate our existence.

In closing, I would like to mention the Kingsley Football club in Western Australia, which suffered through this tragedy; emotional relationships were built within that club that will last a lifetime. These are relationships that are stronger than the normal ones built through many seasons of playing football and winning grand finals together. These are relationships that have been built between members, families and the island of Bali, built on the foundation of tragedy, human suffering and loss of life. I would also like to mention Jason McCartney, who suffered tremendous injuries but recovered from those injuries to grace the AFL sporting field one more time. His courage and determination were an inspiration to all who have played the sport and to all Australians in all walks of life. He showed the spirit of the Anzacs, to fight against all odds to ensure that the terrorists of this world do not take away our freedoms or our lives and make us cower in submission, as they aim to do.

Australians on this sixth anniversary of the Bali bombings must make sure we never forget the loss of life, the pain from injuries suffered and the pain of personal grief suffered by families. We must draw energy and inspiration from this tragedy and from the recovery shown by people like Jason McCartney to ensure we maintain our lives and our lifestyles and our children’s future lifestyles. As a nation we will face future tragedies but will have learnt from the Bali bombings and we will never lose our spirit or forget this tragedy.

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