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

by leave—I table a nonconforming petition relating to West Papua. Many thousands of decent Australians have called on the Australian government to support consideration of West Papuan self-determination at the UN. We know what's going on at the moment within West Papua. We have seen people being attacked and brutalised and, indeed, we hear now from human rights monitors that there have been up to 10 deaths. We know that this is part of a slow-rolling genocide in that region. For decades the West Papuan people have endured major human rights abuses. They've been denied their right to self-determination, and of course in the last few weeks things have become absolutely critical. The footage that's emerged from West Papua shows the Indonesian militia racially abusing the people of West Papua. As I said, there have been horrendous attacks. People have been incarcerated, detained or charged with treason simply for flying the Morning Star flag. They've shut down all communications in West Papua, they've attacked student dormitories and we are seeing these tragic deaths.

It is so critical that the Australian government now make a very clear statement in support of the West Papuan community, in particular supporting the resolution that came out of the Pacific Islands Forum ensuring that the UN are given access to West Papua. They deserve a free and fair referendum. The UN should consider the matter urgently. Again, we should stand up for the human rights of our West Papuan neighbours. We saw Australia delay taking action for decades when it came to the human rights abuses going on in East Timor. Let's not repeat the same mistake again. Let's stand up for the right of the West Papuan people to determine their own future. Let's stand up with the many thousands of Australians who have signed this petition.