Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Smith for his question and his long interest in matters concerning Myanmar. The Australian government is, as I stated in a statement yesterday, deeply concerned that the Myanmar military, the Tatmadaw, has seized control of Myanmar. Early on 1 February, the Tatmadaw detained democratically elected leaders, including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, the President and others. The Tatmadaw has announced a state of emergency and the establishment of a caretaker government with the military-appointed Vice-President currently appointed caretaker President. He has handed authority to the commander-in-chief for one year.

The situation does remain fluid. Communications, including phones and internet in the capital, Naypyidaw, and in the city of Yangon, are severely disrupted. The Tatmadaw are demanding revision of the November 2020 election results and have announced that they intend to hold new elections. I note for the record that Australia was part of international observer participation in relation to those elections through our post in Yangon. In the statement I released yesterday, we did call on the military to respect the rule of law, to resolve disputes according to lawful mechanisms and to release immediately all civilian leaders who had been detained unlawfully. The Australian government has called for the peaceful reconvening of the national assembly of Myanmar, consistent with the results of that November 2020 general election. Our embassy in Yangon is making inquiries regarding the safety and position of Australians, to the extent that disrupted communications allow.

These events are particularly concerning, because the political stability of ASEAN member states is essential to achieving a secure, peaceful region—a prosperous and open Indo-Pacific. ASEAN of course is at the centre of our vision for the Indo-Pacific region.