Senate debates

Wednesday, 2 December 2020

Bills

Australia's Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Bill 2020, Australia's Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2020; In Committee

11:15 am

Photo of Rex PatrickRex Patrick (SA, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you very much for your comprehensive statement, Minister. I want to ask a question in relation to that response. I have a genuine concern that there is momentum building up to a boycott of the 2022 Beijing Olympics, but I'll ask this question in a geographically neutral manner. In the event that there is an Olympic event where the pressure has built up to a point where athletes are being asked to make a decision for themselves about boycotting—that's the dilemma I'm trying to solve here. You mentioned Zimbabwe. What are the mechanisms for government to protect those athletes in circumstances where the pressure has built and the government is in agreement? What are the mechanisms to protect those athletes from having to make that decision themselves rather than having a decision made by the government on their behalf?

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