Page 2750 - Week 13 - Tuesday, 21 November 1989
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in my dealings with him for a number of years. I would particularly like to support the comments he has made and to support any emphasis of this Assembly in providing refuge for people who are in any way under threat.
MR DUBY (8.17): I seek leave to make a brief statement as well.
Leave granted.
MR DUBY: There is no doubt that we are living in momentous times on the world stage. We are seeing in Europe, for example, the collapse of totalitarian states. I would like to support entirely the comments made by Mr Collaery and other speakers to the effect that every effort should be made to ensure that the safety and integrity of people who are currently living and residing in Canberra, especially those from the People's Republic of China, are guaranteed.
There is no question that, as we are watching the collapse of, as I said, these totalitarian communist states throughout the world, it is only a matter of time before true democracy takes place and takes root in the largest country on earth, China. I feel that nothing will be gained from insisting that these persons who are currently enjoying life and liberty here in our democratic society should be sent back, against their wishes and against the wishes of their family members, to the People's Republic.
Accordingly, I support entirely the suggestions that at this stage every assistance should be given to extending the stay of folk, from whatever country in the world, who are in fear of their life and political liberties in their homeland.
MS FOLLETT (Chief Minister) (8.19): I seek leave to make a short statement.
Leave granted.
MS FOLLETT: I am very pleased to have this opportunity to repeat, on the Government's behalf, our very great sympathy for the people of the People's Republic of China and particularly those, of course, who are with us here in Australia. It is no secret, I think, that the links between Australia and China go back very, very many years to our very earliest periods of migration to Australia. In fact, in many ways our two nations have developed in parallel and recently have enjoyed very close relations. So the events of early June in China have been extremely distressing to a great many of us Australians.
Indeed, the Deputy Chief Minister met with a deputation of Chinese students in Canberra early in June and extended our sympathy to them at that time. In fact, he took them across to the Federal Parliament House, where they were able to speak to the staff of the Federal Minister for Immigration and make some useful points to them.
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