Stephen Parry (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Mr President, I return to notice of motion No. 119. The amended motion has now been circulated in the chamber. I seek leave to move the motion, as amended.

Leave granted.

At the request of Senators Ellison, Murray and Sandy Macdonald, I move the motion, as amended:

That the Senate—

(a)   notes the statements by the Government that it is gravely concerned about the deteriorating situation in Zimbabwe and that it strongly condemns the intimidation and terrorising of opposition leaders, civil society and ordinary Zimbabweans;

(b)   further notes the Government’s statement that the Zimbabwean Government’s suspension of humanitarian non-government organisation activity in Zimbabwe is immoral and represents a callous move by the Mugabe regime to use food security as a political weapon against its own people;

(c)   commends the commitment of African states and organisations to deploy an increased number of observers for the forthcoming election, and condemns the intimidation of domestic observers;

(d)   supports the Government’s intensified efforts, including with other concerned nations and organisations, to ensure that the forthcoming election in Zimbabwe is as fair and democratic as possible; and

(e)   urges the Government to use as many international bodies, including the United Nations, to put pressure on the Zimbabwean Government to return Zimbabwe to a democratic state with the rule of law and a civil society.

Question agreed to.