Clare O'Neil (Hotham, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to alert the House to an urgent and continuing problem concerning human rights and industrial protections in Cambodia—a country with which Australia shares such a special history. In Hotham alone, we are home to 2,000 Cambodians, and the contribution that they make to spiritual, cultural and economic life in our local area is profound.

Australia has long played a role in joining the fight with Cambodians to help that proud nation transition to a peaceful democracy. The protection of industrial rights, freedom of association and the right to organise lie at the heart of a peaceful democracy. Today, in Cambodia, unions are being supressed by government forces.

Earlier this year, five garment workers were shot at and killed, and 23 people were arrested simply because they were protesting for fairer conditions and wages. The freedom to assemble has been banned. These actions are unconscionable and unacceptable and I want to say to working people in Cambodia: we care and we will continue to fight for your rights to be protected.

Yoeung khnom chhor chuap chea peatarakpeap chea mouy borng pauon srey pros khmer robas yoeung. Yoeung nung bantor kar prayut team tear sithi monus robos borng pauon. We are standing in solidarity with you, our Cambodian brothers and sisters and we will continue to fight for your right to organise.