Nick Minchin (SA, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Leave granted.

Could I place on record on behalf of the coalition our view on this matter. I have discussed it with Senator Xenophon on several occasions. It has been considered seriously within the coalition at the highest levels. Our consideration has been based on our very great regard for the Dalai Lama. Indeed, it has been my privilege to be present while he has addressed the Press Club and other forums in Australia on several occasions. He is truly a great human being. But it is a matter of what is appropriate, what has been the practice with visitors of his kind and what precedent there is for such a proposal. Based on the Clerk’s clear advice, there is no known precedent for anyone other than members of parliamentary delegations being on the floor of the chamber, as Senator Ludwig properly said. Based on that advice, we on balance do not believe that a precedent should be set in this case or that the convention should be broken.

We have concerns about a precedent of this kind being set. That would mean that it would be frankly impossible to reject requests of this kind for any other visiting religious leader or non-parliamentary member to be on the floor. We think it would be an enormous privilege for us to have the Dalai Lama visit our Parliament House in November, but in our view the proper and appropriate approach would be for the President to invite the Dalai Lama to be present in this chamber in the President’s gallery. I would certainly hope that such an invitation could be extended and accepted were the Dalai Lama be good enough to visit Australia—a visit that I hope will indeed take place.