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

I have listened carefully to the government’s position, as taken by Senator Ludwig, as against that put forward in Senator Hanson-Young’s proposed motion. The difference, quite simply, is this: the government does not support—at government level, at least—the compensation that is due to the women who suffered as so-called comfort women in the Second World War. The question before the Senate on this occasion is: is an apology enough or is compensation warranted? Quite clearly, Senator Hanson-Young’s motion is calling for backing for these people, many of whom are very late in life and many of whom are, sadly, dead; however, compensation should justly follow an apology.