Nick Minchin (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance and Administration) Share this | Hansard source

I think Senator Nettle is referring to the announcement that negotiations on a treaty level Australia-Indonesia agreement on the framework for security cooperation have concluded. Mr Downer has announced that he will travel to Lombok on 13 November to sign that agreement with his Indonesian counterpart. We are delighted that such an agreement has been able to be reached with our near neighbour, Indonesia.

I note that the Greens have raised the question of Papuan independence. I reiterate in this Senate that the treaty does not in any way infringe or seek to infringe on the rights to freedom of expression or freedom of association. The treaty provides that Australia and Indonesia, as governments, will not support or participate in ‘activities by any person or entity which constitute a threat to the stability, sovereignty or territorial integrity of the other’.

It is quite proper and sensible that we have a treaty level commitment with Indonesia under which each party respects the other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We think that is perfectly sensible and proper. That includes, of course, recognition of Indonesia’s sovereignty over Papua. That has been a longstanding policy of successive Australian governments of both political persuasions. It is not the case that the Australian government is going to seek to contribute to or seek to foment any sort of secessionist movement or the break-up of Indonesia. That would not be in Australia’s national interest whatsoever and is not something we as a state should advocate.

However, I reiterate, and I guess this goes to the point of Senator Nettle’s question, that this treaty, which as I say will be signed on Monday—and a very good one it is—will not infringe in any way on the rights to freedom of expression or freedom of association of Australians. I am sure both major parties—the government and the alternative government—are very committed to ensuring the appropriate freedoms of expression for Australians to voice their concerns and opinions. The treaty essentially reiterates what has been a longstanding government policy on both sides—that is, that we respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Indonesia.