Page 5265 - Week 16 - Thursday, 28 November 1991
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This is an important motion to be brought up at this time, particularly in Canberra because of the issue that was raised by Mr Stefaniak - that of the arms exhibitions and the way that we deal with arms. I think it is most important that Mr Collaery's motion is supported. What I would like to see, of course, is unanimous support from this Assembly, to send a clear message to the Federal Government that, if you are going to try to play politics always by appeasement, there comes a time when what you have achieved is clearly outweighed by what you have lost. It is very important that we take a very strong stance on these human rights issues.
I go back to the first paragraph of Mr Collaery's motion, which urges the Prime Minister to pursue every effort in the United Nations to secure a just peace in Yugoslavia. I think the situation there is much more difficult, but Mr Collaery's motion has been left very broad and I think that is an appropriate way to leave the motion in this case. If Australia can play a role in trying to sort out that terrible situation in Yugoslavia, then that would be appropriate.
Similarly, we can look to our near neighbours and try to take action on what is happening in East Timor and send a message not just to our Federal Government but also to the Indonesians from ordinary Australians and from parliaments throughout Australia. As I understand it, the South Australian Parliament passed a similar motion last night. I hope that there will be a growing movement so that the message is loud and clear - just the same as the Prime Minister got a very loud and clear message from parliamentarians on both sides of the house with reference to the media situation.
Let him get a loud message that he is getting out of touch with what is happening in Australia. That is just what this motion does. It says, clearly, "Get back in touch; we are not happy with what you are doing. The message is that we want you to take much stronger action".
MR STEVENSON (3.57): I fully support any genuine attempt at peace. I think the solution to problems is communication; to pour on more and more communication rather than some of the methods that are used when someone disagrees with someone else around the world. There are far too many wars; there have been for many decades.
Mr Kaine: Try centuries.
MR STEVENSON: Yes, I think they are increasing, percentage-wise, actually. I went along to the demonstration outside the United Kingdom embassy some weeks ago now and spoke to Croatian people at some length. I think there is always some concern about the information that we are given. I generally like to try to speak to
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