Helen Coonan (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Bartlett for a very pertinent question. The answer to it is, of course, that the government will continue to apply the law in the way in which we have in relation to anyone who comes to this country, whether they come illegally or otherwise. It is very well known what attitude the government would take. More particularly, we welcomed President Yudhoyono’s undertaking last August that his government will focus on resolving issues in Papua in a peaceful, just and dignified way based on special autonomy. That is obviously the fundamental starting point for this government’s dealings with Indonesia in relation to the matter of West Papua and those who may wish to leave it.

The Australian government strongly supports Indonesia’s territorial integrity, including its sovereignty over Papua, and we certainly do not support separatism. Full and effective implementation of special autonomy is the best way of meeting the local community needs. As no doubt Senator Bartlett would know, we are currently implementing a $3.7 million development program in Papua focused on health and some other very real issues that local communities have, such as HIV-AIDS, education and public expenditure. We also focus on capacity building so that the West Papuans are able to build on these kinds of assistance packages to make sure that they have a much better way of dealing with their local conditions. We continue to urge the Indonesian government to investigate alleged human rights violations and to ensure that the human rights of all Indonesians are respected.

As I said in my opening remarks in answer to Senator Bartlett’s question, this government treats these cases on a case-by-case basis. So far as I am aware—and I will correct the record if I am wrong about this—there have been no further arrivals. We will continue to support the Papuans through capacity building and continue to develop our relationship with the Indonesian government to ensure that special autonomy is workable and in the interests of the local population.