Dean Smith (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I'd also like to make some brief comments in regard to the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade's interim report regarding Australia's response to the coup in Myanmar. While I am not a member, I want to congratulate the committee. I have read avidly the transcripts of the hearings that have been conducted, and I think it's a very worthwhile exercise for the committee to explore these particular points.

I am someone who's not yet satisfied by Australia's response to the military coup in Myanmar. I want to congratulate the Burmese diaspora in our country, which has a very rich history. Many came to our country in the 1960s. Many have come to our country in more recent times, as part of the humanitarian program. I congratulate them on their strong and consistent advocacy—certainly in Perth but also around the country—in drawing the attention of other Australians to the very important issues in regard to the coup in Myanmar. If Australia has strong words to say about democracy in our region and about the importance of the rule of law, then responding to the coup in Myanmar is a very easy and immediate way to demonstrate those values and to put them in action.

Two points have concerned me. I prosecuted these politely at Senate estimates. One is the reticence of officials to publish details of their engagement with the National Unity Government. In my discussions with senior representatives of the National Unity Government they have been very willing to have that information disclosed. And I agree that disclosure of meetings, or consent to disclosure of meetings, between officials and the National Unity Government representatives allows, prepares—is a precursor for—official engagement.

The other thing I've been concerned about is that I'm not yet convinced that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has been engaging thoroughly enough with the Myanmar diaspora. On that point, I'm still prepared to give them the benefit of the doubt for a period. But if Australia's foreign policy is to enjoy the endorsement and the consent of Australian people then it's necessary for the department to actively engage with groups of people who have their heritage in those countries, and in this particular case I think it's very important that the department actively engage with members of the Myanmar diaspora. I think the view of the Australian people is very clear when it comes to the matter of the military coup in Myanmar. They are comfortable. They would like Australia to carefully consider the imposition of sanctions. In fact, I think time is quickly running out, and the imposition of carefully considered sanctions in regard to Myanmar and the military coup must now be the highest priority. I absolutely agree that our officials should be working in concert with our neighbours on these issues for a period—not indefinitely.

I would also like to echo—amplify—the comments of former ambassador Nicholas Coppel, whom I had the pleasure of meeting many times on my travels to Myanmar. He is informed. He is a considered person. And I think his contribution by way of an opinion piece in the Australian was very well received in this country and in fact by members of the Myanmar community in our country. They think this matter is so critical to them, so important to them, that clear and decisive action is very important. I've listened to the contributions of others in this chamber. I've avidly read the Hansard record of this particular committee inquiry thus far. I prosecuted the case at Senate estimates. Members of the Myanmar community, particularly in Perth but right around the country, can be assured that this is a matter that is very close to my heart. It is one that I will be pursuing, and I expect to have much more to say in coming weeks.

Question agreed to.