ADJOURNMENT
Senator DEAN SMITH (Western Australia) (16:51): I thank the government for its response to the report of the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee into human rights and democracy in Myanmar. At the outset, it's very important to reiterate that the Senate committee's report was very well received by a broad range of stakeholders. This endorsement is not only welcome, but it's a powerful reminder that Australians remain engaged with the issues arising from the continuing conflict in Myanmar.
The government has acknowledged the comprehensive and detailed nature of the report and accepted recommendation 11 in principle, partially accepted recommendations 2 and 7 and noted recommendations 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9. However, people will be disappointed that the government has rejected recommendation 10, a recommendation that would have significantly increased the accountability and transparency of the government's approach to Myanmar by requiring the Australian government to provide a quarterly statement to parliament on its response to the ongoing conflict.
This quarterly statement would have required the Australian government to report on progress on the implementation of the Australia-Myanmar Development Partnership Plan 2024-2029, progress of initiatives undertaken with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the monitoring and compliance of Australia's sanction regime and engagement with the Myanmar diaspora and National Unity Government.
Today, of course, is also an opportunity to give a voice to Myanmar diaspora groups wanting a more visible and forthright response to the conflict from the Australian government. Through active community engagement with these groups, I know the following views to be strongly and wildly widely held. First, the humanitarian work of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the other impartial organisations assisting the people of Myanmar is warmly welcomed and greatly appreciated.
Communities were relieved by the news and confirmation from the International Committee of the Red Cross that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is alive and were reassured by the independent assessment of her welfare after years of isolation. As important as this humanitarian development is, it should not be interpreted as evidence of genuine political progress. Thousands of political prisoners remain detained.
Military attacks on civilians continue, and there's been no credible commitment by the military regime to engage in an inclusive political process. The views of the Australian community and what constitutes meaningful progress have been clear and consistent. They include the release of all political prisoners, an end to attacks on civilians, recognition of Myanmar's democratic representatives, ethnic resistance organisations and civil society as legitimate participants in political dialogue, and, of course, a genuine inclusive political process.
More than five years after the military's unlawful seizure of power, the military authorities continue to violate the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus through ongoing violence, restrictions on humanitarian access and the absence of meaningful political dialogue. So Australia is being asked to support full implementation of the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus and increase pressure to end the violence.
Australia should continue working with ASEAN and international partners to strengthen targeted sanctions on the military's revenue sources, support international accountability mechanisms and respond to serious violations of international law. Australia should continue to promote inclusive political engagement by continuing to encourage ASEAN to engage with the National Unity Government, democratic representatives, ethnic resistance organisations, civil society, humanitarian organisations and the Steering Council for the Emergence of a Federal Democratic Union to support an inclusive federal democratic future.
Of course, we call on expansion of humanitarian access and work to develop compliance benchmarks for the Five-Point Consensus through measurable benchmarks, implementation timelines and monitoring mechanisms, together with consequences for continued noncompliance. Australia has long been recognised as a nation committed to democracy, human rights, the rule of law and international justice.
As this crisis continues, Australia must continue to stand with the people of Myanmar not simply through words but through sustained humanitarian support, principled diplomacy, effective international pressure and a meaningful engagement with those seeking a democratic future for their country. Senate adjourned at 16:56