Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

Australia has been a longstanding partner for Myanmar through both good times and more-difficult periods. We've consistently supported the move to democracy—that transition period—and the social and economic reform agenda. I visited Myanmar shortly after my appointment as foreign minister in December 2018, and I know Senator Smith has visited on previous occasions as well. Our development program there includes a focus on promoting peace and stability, on democratic institutions, on supporting elections, and on the peace process and women's empowerment and gender equality. Our commitment to Myanmar's development and Myanmar's people continues at this difficult time and includes support for vaccine access, for delivering humanitarian assistance and for supporting inclusive social and economic development. We sincerely hope to see Myanmar succeed, for the benefit of all of its people and for our region as a whole. And I do want to assure the people of Myanmar, and the many members in the diaspora here in Australia, that we will stand with them in this difficult time. (Time expired)