Chris Hayes (Fowler, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise today to support my colleague the member for Werriwa and thank him for bringing forward this motion regarding the political situation in the Philippines. It is an issue I had a keen interest in when I was formerly the member for Werriwa and I am really pleased to see how the new member for Werriwa is engaging with the Filipino community in the south-west of Sydney. I would particularly praise the efforts of people such as Rey Monerto and Lourdes Kaiser. I know Laurie is working very closely with them. In my own electorate of Fowler—

A division having been called in the House of Representatives—

Proceedings suspended from 20:00 to 20:08

Before the suspension, I was saying that in my own electorate of Fowler I also have a growing Filipino community, many of whom worship at the All Saints church in Liverpool. As a matter of fact, I was there only last Sunday with the member for Werriwa for the Liverpool Catholic Club mass. Ray and Lolita Abbott, who fundamentally coordinate the Filipino community in Liverpool, also attended. It gave us a good opportunity to have a talk. Part of that was about the special relationship between Australia and the Philippines and the interest there is in having both countries play a significant part in the Asia-Pacific community. As with any conflict, the vast majority of Filipinos are no different; they do not want to have endless hostility in their land. They simply want to get on with their lives and provide the best opportunity for themselves and their families within their local community.

Living in such a fortunate country as this, I find it hard to imagine the ongoing hostilities which have engulfed the Philippines since the 1960s. While the casualty figures are not exactly accurate, because they are not always available, from a quick search that I did, indications are that in the vicinity of 120,000 Filipino citizens have lost their lives during this conflict.

All Filipinos have been affected economically and socially by the ongoing conflict. It is simply a fact that no nation can truly develop its economy, its education, its health system, its commitment to an independent judiciary and the emotional health and welfare of its citizens while it is under such a cloud of hostility, as is the case in the Philippines. Hence the poverty levels that currently exist in the Philippines and why people are only too willing to sell a kidney in order to fund a family. These conflicts started, as I say, in the sixties and a whole generation of Filipinos have lived with nothing other than this conflict for their entire lives. Regrettably, unless a breakthrough is made the next generation will be exposed to the exact same thing.

Australia, as a strong voice in the region, should do all that we can to assist all parties to come to a peaceful resolution of these hostilities. This is not only in the best interests of the Philippines; quite frankly, it is in the best interests of the whole of the Pacific region. For Australia directly, a safe and secure region means not only stronger ties with our neighbours but also a lesser burden for our region, particularly when it comes to the unsafe aspects of their homeland and the need for people to, as they do from time to time, seek asylum. I do note that there has been progress in the Philippines of late and, as alluded to by the member for Werriwa, there seems to be a willingness by all participants to try to resolve the ongoing conflict.

In 2010 and 2011 the Norwegian government acted as a broker between the government and the National Democratic Front. As the member for Werriwa outlined in his motion, negotiations occurred earlier in the year between the two parties. There is a strong interest in pursuing this dialogue and, hopefully, to a point of resolution. I also note that Norway has taken a leading role by joining the International Monitoring Team, which is overseeing the ceasefire between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

I join with the member for Werriwa and all those who are wishing the Philippines well. It is in our interests and it is in theirs to obtain peace and stability. It is important not only for our region but for all mankind that we settle down the position in the Philippines where there is not only a suitable and lasting ceasefire but peace of which I think all of us can be duly proud and something that we should keep in our prayers.

See this speech in context