Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

As I have indicated previously, these are complex issues that these motions are trying to deal with. Not only do these issues have complexity; they also go to foreign policy issues, and Senate resolutions by themselves are very blunt instruments in trying to deal with what can be quite complex foreign policy matters. The government cannot support the motion as it is worded, nor the amendment as it is worded—that is, we do not intend to support either the amendment or the substantive motion, whether it is amended or not.

The government acknowledges, though, the tragic consequences of the Soviet invasion of Hungary in 1956, which the Australian government deplored at the time, and stands with the people of Hungary in commemorating this important anniversary.