Lisa Singh (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary to the Shadow Attorney General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 543 standing in my name and the name of Senator Watt for today relating to the Rohingya people of Myanmar.

Leave granted.

I, and also on behalf of Senator Watt, move the motion as amended:

That the Senate—

(a) remains concerned that conflict in Myanmar's Rakhine State between minorities, including Rohingya Muslims, and armed forces since 25 August 2017 has:

(i) caused the death and suffering of many people, almost all of them minorities in Rakhine State,

(ii) forced possibly more than 536 000 members of minorities in Rakhine State to flee to Bangladesh since 25 August 2017, approximately 94 per cent of whom are Rohingya Muslims, and

(iii) completely prevented access to United Nations (UN) and Non-Government Organisation (NGO) aid agencies to the delivery of crucial supplies of food, water and medicine to the region;

(b) notes:

(i) that many of Rakhine State's 1.1 million Rohingya and other minorities live in tented camps and rely on UN and NGO aid for survival,

(ii) the deeply concerning details listed in the UN Secretary-General's remarks to the UN Security Council on 28 September 2017, including that 176 out of 471 Rohingya villages in Northern Rakhine have been totally abandoned, and

(iii) that more than half a million people from minorities in Rakhine State are already living in tented camps in Bangladesh, which itself is home to widespread poverty and inequality;

(c) echoes:

(i) the Minister for Foreign Affairs' (Ms Bishop) expressions of deep concern regarding the ongoing violence in Rakhine State and call for the protection of civilians, in accordance with international law and unfettered humanitarian access to affected areas,

(ii) the recommendations towards a peaceful, fair and prosperous future for the people of Rakhine, as detailed in the final report of the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State that was submitted to the Government of Myanmar on 23 August 2017, and

(iii) the UN Secretary-General's urging that all those who have fled to Bangladesh be able to exercise their right to a safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable return to their homes; and

(d) urges:

(i) the Government of Myanmar to:

(A) recommit to the pursuit of peace and national reconciliation, and

(B) allow access to all parts of Rakhine State to allow for the provision of humanitarian aid,

(ii) the Minister for Foreign Affairs to do everything in her power to help alleviate the suffering in Rakhine State, and

(iii) the Turnbull Government to:

(A) consider pledging further funds to aid those affected by the violence in Rakhine State at the Donor Pledging Conference in Geneva on 23 October 2017, and

(B) maintain pressure on the Government of Myanmar, particularly the military and security forces to help improve the challenging human rights and humanitarian situation in Rakhine State.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Gavin Marshall (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Australia has condemned the violence in Rakhine State. The Minister for Foreign Affairs has called for an end to the violence, for the protection of civilians and for the safe return of those who fled their homes. We co-sponsored the establishment of a fact-finding mission through the Human Rights Council so those responsible for crimes can be held to account. Australia is one of the largest donors to the Rohingya crisis, contributing $20 million since 25 August. We're looking at providing further assistance. We are working with regional partners including through the Bali process. Australia maintains an arms embargo and we do not conduct joint military exercises with Myanmar. Australia stands ready to assist in this process.

Question agreed to.