Mehreen Faruqi NSW, Australian Greens
5:30 pm
I ask that general business notice of motion No. 238 standing in my name for today, relating to Kashmir, be taken as a formal motion.
Scott Ryan President
Is there any objection to this motion being taken as formal? There is, Senator Faruqi.
Mehreen Faruqi NSW, Australian Greens
In lieu of suspending standing orders, I seek leave to make a one-minute statement.
Mehreen Faruqi NSW, Australian Greens
Once again we are here, where the government is denying consideration of a very important foreign policy matter. Kashmiris have been living under curfew for months now. Over one million Kashmiri children are still out of school. The Australian government must use all diplomatic means available to call on the Indian government to reverse its decision to remove the autonomy of Kashmir. They must release political prisoners, lift the curfew and allow freedom of movement, communication, speech and assembly for the people of Kashmir. The Australian government must call on the Indian government to respect Kashmiris' right to self-determination. Kashmiris have the right to live their lives free from violence, free from militarisation, free from curfews and free to have freedom of speech.
Jonathon Duniam Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries
5:31 pm
I seek leave to make a short statement.
Jonathon Duniam Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries
In line with the government's longstanding view, motions that cannot be debated or amended should not deal with complex foreign policy matters. The Australian government's position is that the Kashmir dispute is a bilateral matter for India and Pakistan to resolve peacefully through dialogue. No durable or resilient peace can be obtained through military means. We note that Prime Minister Modi has said that the current security and governance arrangements are temporary, and has promised to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. The government urges India and Pakistan to find a peaceful political, bilateral solution.
Katy Gallagher ACT, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
I seek leave to make a short statement.
Katy Gallagher ACT, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
Labor remains concerned about the situation in Kashmir. We continue to call for the final status of Jammu and Kashmir to be settled by peaceful means. We note that, following the Indian government's revocation on 5 August 2019 of articles 35A and 370 of the Indian constitution, which conferred special protected status on the state of Jammu and Kashmir, internet services in the Kashmir valley remain blocked. We urge the full restoration of communications in the Kashmir valley, and we support the UN Secretary-General's call for the situation to be resolved through dialogue and respect for human rights and the people of Kashmir.