Danna Vale (Hughes, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—It was indeed a privilege and an honour to have been part of the Australian Parliamentary Delegation to the Republic of Serbia and to the 119th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Geneva, Switzerland that took place between 4 and 18 October last year.

Initially, I wish to record our appreciation for the many officials and advisers who provided their professional expertise and assistance to us and who made this delegation such a success. Ambassador Claire Birgin and Mrs Melanie Davies and the excellent staff of the Australian Embassy in Serbia provided sound advice and professional expertise. In Geneva, I acknowledge the work of Mrs Alison Purnell of DFAT; Mrs Angela Robinson from the Office of the Ambassador for Disarmament; the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade here in Australia; Mrs Caroline Millar, the Ambassador for Disarmament; and Mrs Anda Filip, the IPU Director for External Affairs, for their guidance and professional assistance. I also wish to thank my delegation colleagues—the member for Chifley, the Chief Government Whip, and senators Judith Troeth and Claire Moore—for the excellent cooperative spirit in which this delegation was undertaken and which contributed in a positive manner to its success.

There were several important reasons for an Australian delegation to Serbia. These included the need to establish formal relations with the new Serbian parliament, to have discussions on bilateral trade, to strengthen commercial relations and to discuss the possibility of bilateral healthcare agreements. We also wanted to expand the potential for increased cooperation in education between our two nations.

We also wanted to take this opportunity to gain a better understanding of Serbia’s concerns about Kosovo’s independence and Serbia’s cooperation with the Hague tribunal, as well as Serbia’s reforms as it works towards membership of the European Union. We also sought to gain an appreciation of the situation of Serbian ethnic minorities, which include a large population of refugees from Croatia, Kosovo and Bosnia-Herzegovina, as well as the Romana people.

Our visit was the very first Australian parliamentary delegation to the new Republic of Serbia, and we were able to participate in high-level meetings with the speaker and vice-speaker of the national assembly, with ministers, secretaries of state and various political leaders. The delegation was impressed with the efforts being made by the leaders of this vibrant young democracy to develop and enhance democratic traditions, and we considered that its efforts in this regard could perhaps be better acknowledged at an international level. Serbia’s ministers and political leaders are a new generation; they are young, they are energetic, they are professionally qualified, they are progressive and they are focused on a future for Serbia as a member of the European Union for its economic and social success. Having said that, I note that Serbia is also aware of the importance of regional cooperation and is actively involved in creating positive relationships with regional organisations and initiatives. Serbia certainly holds a position of strength within the Balkan region and is a key to stability in that region.

One of the main issues of concern at the time of our visit was the independence of Kosovo, and the delegation benefited from understanding the history of the relationship between these two countries. Serbia regards Kosovo as an integral part of its identity as a nation and is determined not to recognise Kosovo’s independence. However, in seeking to address this situation, Serbia has wisely committed to seek recourse through international legal institutions and procedures and, in so doing, is gaining well-deserved respect amongst the international family of nations.

At the many high-level meetings with ministers and political leaders, the delegation pointed out that Australia would welcome the return of the Serbian Ambassador to Australia. Indeed, it is pleasing to note that shortly after our visit the Serbian ambassador returned to Australia.

The report records three recommendations that were made by the delegation after this visit. They include the suggestion that through AusAID we sponsor exchange programs for parliamentary staff from the national assembly of Serbia and/or other government officials to assist in strengthening Serbia’s fledging parliamentary democracy. Another recommendation is that Australia facilitate opportunities for our tertiary education and research institutions for cooperation with research; exchanges of academic and research personnel; and graduate or postgraduate study in Australia. The third recommendation provides for support and assistance for cultural visits to Australia by Serbian artistic and theatrical troupes. We believe that the implementation of such recommendations will assist in providing for the development of a positive working relationship between our two nations and will achieve the objectives of the delegation to the mutual benefit of both countries.

The delegation also attended the 119th assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Geneva, assemblies which provide an opportunity for worldwide parliamentary dialogue on political, economic, social and cultural issues of international significance. There are now 154 members of the IPU and eight associate members. The IPU supports the work of the United Nations and cooperates with regional interparliamentary organisations as well as with other like-minded international intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations. Australia is an active member of two geopolitical groups within the IPU: the Asia-Pacific Group and the Twelve Plus Group.

Of the highlights of our participation in the IPU in October last year, mention must include the fine leadership that was provided by the Chief Government Whip, the member for Chifley, not only in his capacity as delegation leader but especially in his role of co-rapporteur presenting the draft report to be considered by the first standing committee at the 120th assembly of the IPU in Addis Ababa in April this year. The topic of this paper is Advancing nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, and securing the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty: the role of parliaments. That topic is one in which Australia has had an abiding interest for many years.

The delegation report also makes a strong recommendation that the Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs request the Centre for Democratic Institutions to investigate ways for Australia to encourage Pacific countries to become more involved in international fora, especially the IPU, and I note the recommendations that were already made by the Chief Government Whip in this regard. Again, I acknowledge the leadership of the member for Chifley and the positive contributions, spirit and work of the delegation by Senators Claire Moore and Judith Troeth. It was a privilege indeed to have been a member of this delegation, and I commend the report to the House.

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