Kerry O'Brien (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a)

notes that 4 June 2009 was the 20th anniversary of the free elections in Poland, elections which were the beginning of the end of communist party rule not only in Poland but in all the countries of central and eastern Europe, and eventually also in the republics of the Soviet Union;

(b)

congratulates the people of Poland for their courageous struggle over more than 40 years to reclaim their independence and to restore democracy and freedom, and on the increasing security, prosperity and freedom which Poland has enjoyed since 1989; and

(c)

recalls that it was the Solidarity free trade union which led the successful struggle of the Polish people to achieve independence and democracy in Poland, and declares that strong, free and independent trade unions are an essential part of the fabric of a democratic society.