Nick Minchin (SA, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to Senator Evans, the Minister representing the Prime Minister. Australia has a very strong record of working to ensure stability and security in East Timor. As such, events this week have disturbed everyone in this chamber. Will the minister therefore update the Senate on the security situation in East Timor, given the assassination attempts on President Jose Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Gusmao and the present condition of President Ramos-Horta? I note that, with bipartisan support, the government has responded by deploying an additional company of ADF personnel and additional AFP officers to East Timor. Will the minister further outline to the Senate the role of our ADF personnel and AFP officers in ensuring a return to order and security in East Timor?