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

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that on 8 November 2015, Myanmar held its first openly contested election in 25 years;

(b) congratulates the people of Myanmar on the peaceful and efficient conduct of the election, which was a powerful demonstration of the people's wish to transition to democracy;

(c) notes:

(i) the result of the election, which delivered a significant majority to the National League for Democracy (NLD), the political movement led by pro democracy campaigner Ms Aung San Suu Kyi,

(ii) the election by Myanmar's Union Parliament on 15 March 2016 of Mr Htin Kyaw as President, and

(iii) the election of Mr Henry Van Thio to the office of Second Vice President, and its particular significance for the Chin and Christian communities of Myanmar, given this is the most senior office to be held by a Chin person since the Union of Burma was formed in 1947; and

(d) recognises That the selection of the Myanmar's president and vice presidents is an important step in its political transition, whilst noting the need for further reforms to strengthen representative government in that country.

Question agreed to.