Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

The government cannot support the proposed motion. As you know, we have a longstanding view about trying to deal with complex international matters by way of short motions seeking formality. I refer the Senate to the ministerial statement on the subject, dated 4 September, from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Smith. We take this debate seriously, we take the parliament seriously, and because of that Mr Smith sought to make a full ministerial statement to the parliament in September.

I have visited Sri Lanka in recent months and we continue to be very much focused on the return of democracy, the rule of law, security and a strong civil society in Sri Lanka. We will be working with the Sri Lankan government and international partners to ensure a good outcome in Sri Lanka. We appreciate the concerns that the Greens express but, as I said, we think this is not the appropriate way to deal with what are very complex foreign affairs matters.