John Faulkner (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Ludlam for the question. Let me commence my answer by indicating of course that the government has condemned the conviction and sentencing of Aung San Suu Kyi. Both Mr Smith and the Prime Minister made statements about this on 11 August. Aung San Suu Kyi has been convicted under Burma’s oppressive state protection law and sentenced to a further 18 months of house arrest.

I can say that Mr Smith has made very clear the Australian view on this issue. I am aware of certain targeted trade and investment sanctions with Burma. I am certainly aware of the fact, Senator, that there has been, as you are probably aware, a ban on defence exports to Burma since 1991. The Australian government has had a policy beyond that to neither encourage nor discourage trade with Burma. (Time expired)