Kerry O'Brien (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a)

notes that 4 June 2009 was the 20th anniversary of the free elections in Poland, elections which were the beginning of the end of communist party rule not only in Poland but in all the countries of central and eastern Europe, and eventually also in the republics of the Soviet Union;

(b)

congratulates the people of Poland for their courageous struggle over more than 40 years to reclaim their independence and to restore democracy and freedom, and on the increasing security, prosperity and freedom which Poland has enjoyed since 1989; and

(c)

recalls that it was the Solidarity free trade union which led the successful struggle of the Polish people to achieve independence and democracy in Poland, and declares that strong, free and independent trade unions are an essential part of the fabric of a democratic society.

Stephen Parry (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

by leave—I would just like to place on record that, whilst the opposition support the intent of the motion that is moved by the government in relation to Polish democracy, we feel that the government’s motion is too narrow in attributing credit for the nation’s transition to democracy in that it only identified trade unions. As such, Senator Humphries has given notice of another motion which he will place before the chamber shortly and which reflects the opposition’s views on this issue. Senator Humphries did seek to have the government motion amended, but unsuccessfully.

Question agreed to.

Gary Humphries (ACT, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a)

notes that 4 June 2009 was the 20th anniversary of the first free elections in the Republic of Poland since World War II;

(b)

acknowledges Poland’s tremendous contribution to the fall of communism in Europe and notes Poland’s democratic achievements, particularly that the citizens of Poland resolutely voted to restore their Senate and reinstate the accountability and transparency of their government; and

(c)

notes the 40 years of struggle and hardship endured by those who fought to assure the independence of judges and the courts, to assure that Poles could freely form associations and clubs, and to bring about an overhaul of the economy.

Question agreed to.

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

Mr Acting Deputy President, could the Greens’ agreement to both those motions be recorded?

Gavin Marshall (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes, thank you, Senator Brown.