Vince Connelly (Stirling, Liberal Party) | Hansard source

The situation in Myanmar is both confronting and heartbreaking. Since the coup more than a year ago, we've seen terrible atrocities. My heart goes out to the Burmese community, who I know are hurting for their friends, their families and their communities. And I know that the Prime Minister shares these grave concerns. Just one week after meeting with my local Burmese community, along with Senator Dean Smith, the Prime Minister was back there this past weekend. The PM updated us on the further work that our government's doing to oppose the military regime and to support the Burmese. In response to the coup, we've suspended bilateral defence cooperation with Myanmar and redirected our development program away from government entities. We are holding firm on our longstanding arms embargo, and backing a global arms embargo. On the weekend, the PM said Australia's assistance is reaching communities across Myanmar, including in conflict-affected areas of Chin, Kachin, Kayah, Shan and Rakhine states, and he announced an additional 2,000 new humanitarian visas. This adds to extensions to Myanmar citizens who are in Australia on temporary visas. It was heartening also to hear that further sanctions are being actively considered. This financial year, Australia will deliver over $95 million in assistance to the people of Myanmar. The humanitarian crisis is deepening, and I thank our Prime Minister for continuing to listen and to act as we enhance our support for the people of Myanmar in their hour of need.

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