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

I am surprised by the tasteless interjection from Senator Joyce. I think all senators would agree that the action of the United Nations Security Council in adopting resolution 1973, authorising the use of force in Libya to protect civilians from attack by the regime of Colonel Gaddafi, is an important one. The council adopted the resolution by 10 votes to zero, with five abstentions. The resolution authorises member states to take all necessary measures to protect civilians and civilian-populated areas under threat of attack while excluding an occupation force. In light of the fast-deteriorating situation, the Security Council established a no-fly zone, which bans all non-humanitarian flights in Libyan airspace. The no-fly zone was imposed following a request from the Arab League. World leaders met in Paris on Saturday and agreed to enforce the resolution through military action. As senators would be aware, that commenced on Sunday, led by countries in the immediate region and select members of NATO.

The decisive action is welcomed by the Australian government. The Arab League, the Security Council, the nations represented at the Paris conference and the parties to military intervention have all acted in the interests of Libya’s civil population. The decision to use force to support peace is, of course, never easy, and it is not without risk. We know from bitter experience that the decision not to act also has consequences and can lead, like it did in Rwanda, to the unimaginable loss of civilian life. Through its brutal suppression of dissent, use of military force against civilians and threats of further bloodshed, the Gaddafi regime has failed its own people. The decision of the international community to take a stand and protect Libyan civilians from further attack has Australia’s full support.