Bob Brown (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 86 relating to Tibet and talks between the Dalai Lama and Beijing as circulated in the chamber.

Leave granted.

I thank the Senate and I move the motion as amended:

That the Senate—

(a)

notes the continuing human rights concerns in Tibet and restrictions on entry to areas in Tibet by journalists, international observers, non-government agencies and foreign diplomats;

(b)

welcomes the informal talks between the Chinese Government and representatives of the 14th Dalai Lama on 4 May and 5 May 2008 in Shenzhen, China and the agreement to hold a further round of the China-Tibet dialogue;

(c)

encourages both parties to work sincerely towards a peaceful and mutually agreeable resolution of the China-Tibet issue;

(d)

welcomes the forthright statements by the Prime Minister (Mr Rudd) during his recent trip to China, both in public and in private talks with the Chinese Premier (Wen Jiabao) and President (Hu Jintao), on the need for constructive dialogue;

(e)

appreciates the Prime Minister’s commitment to being a zhengyou, or a ‘true friend’, to the Chinese leadership and his willingness to raise challenging issues including Tibet; and

(f)

requests the Government to actively support and monitor the progress of the China-Tibet dialogue and offer its support to help bring about a positive outcome.

Question agreed to.