Helen Coonan (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Nettle for the question. As I indicated yesterday—and the position certainly has not changed between yesterday and today—the attitude this government has in respect of West Papua is one which strongly supports Indonesia’s territorial integrity, including its sovereignty over Papua, and this government does not support separatism. We do say that full and effective implementation of special autonomy is, in the government’s view, the best way of meeting the considerable needs of the local community.

As I said yesterday, rather than taking up issues in relation to the report, we are currently implementing something practical for the West Papuans: a $3.7 million development program in Papua that focuses on health, HIV-AIDS, education and public expenditure. There is also a great need in West Papua for capacity building. In respect of the whole situation in West Papua, we continue to urge the Indonesian government to investigate local conditions and alleged human rights violations and to ensure that the human rights of all citizens in West Papua are respected. The important issue is that this government is concerned that local conditions in West Papua are improved for the local populous. We are concerned to ensure that Indonesian territorial integrity is respected, and that is the attitude we will continue to take in respect of West Papua.