Ms Julie Bishop (Curtin, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Hansard source

On indulgence—the wave of civil unrest that has been unleashed across North Africa and the Middle East has a number of common causes, particularly socioeconomic causes—high youth unemployment and high food prices—but also the overwhelming human desire for greater freedom from repressive regimes.

The response to the demonstrations has varied country by country, whether it is Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco or Algeria. But the crowd control, Gaddafi style, in Libya has been unconscionable, despicable and inhumane. The coalition supports the government’s words of condemnation as laid out today by the Minister for Foreign Affairs. We certainly support the government taking whatever steps it can to express Australia’s shock and horror at the way the people of Libya have been treated by the ruler of that country, a most vile dictator.

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