Richard Di Natale (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

Next week the West Papuan people will celebrate their unofficial date of independence, 50 years since the West Papuan community first raised the Morning Star flag and sang their national anthem. It is clear, based on recent events, that conflict is escalating in West Papua. Only several weeks ago a number of people were arrested and detained, and we understand that a number of people remain in prison at this time. In addition, a number of people were killed. We understand that at least six people were killed as a result of the third West Papuan People's Congress, where people were seeking their right to determine their own future.

We understand that next week a series of protests will be held in West Papua, across the West Papuan community. We also understand now that the Indonesian government has expressed that no dissent from the state of Indonesia will be tolerated. We understand that there is the serious potential for more conflict in the region. We know, based on recent events, that the human rights of the West Papuan community are under threat and that in fact we may see a number of executions committed in the coming week.

We want to see the Australian government take a leadership role on this issue. We want to see the foreign minister express in the strongest possible terms to his counterpart in Indonesia that Australia will not tolerate any human rights abuses, in fact any violence, on the West Papuan community. Finally I would say, through you, Mr President, that if a motion is not an appropriate way for dealing with issues of foreign policy, please tell me what is. Question put:

That the motion (Senator Di Natale's) be agreed to.

The Senate divided. [12:17]

The President—Senator Hogg

Question negatived.