Richard Di Natale (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I ask that general notice of motion No. 1165 standing in my name for today relating to a meeting of the international parliamentarians for West Papua be taken as a formal motion.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Is there any objection to this motion being taken as formal?

An honourable senator: Yes.

It has been objected to, Senator Di Natale.

Scott Ryan (Victoria, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Scott Ryan (Victoria, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the chamber. Australian governments, coalition and Labor, have long recognised Indonesian sovereignty over the Papua provinces. It is also widely recognised by the international community. The government condemns all acts of violence in the Papua provinces whether directed at civilians or at security personnel. All credible allegations of human rights abuses should be investigated. Our embassy officials visit these provinces regularly and engage deeply with civil society, NGOs and religious leaders. Claims of extinction are false and irresponsible depiction of current reality in West Papua.

Richard Di Natale (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Richard Di Natale (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The purpose of this motion is to join in with parliamentarians from right around the world who are advocating for the right of the West Papuan people to determine their own future. We have a situation in West Papua where international human rights monitors are being denied access—sound familiar? We have a situation in West Papua where the media read being denied access—also sounds familiar. We have a situation in West Papua where innocent people are being detained for doing nothing other than expressing their right for self-determination—also sounds familiar. We have a global movement now building right around the world where parliamentarians, including the British Parliament and US Parliament, have come together to call for the right of the West Papuan people to express their right to self-determination. Today the Australian Greens join in that struggle. We join parliamentarians right around the world to say it is their right, the West Papuan people, to determine their own future.