Mr LUGG - 1999-04-20
Could the Chief Minister inform the House what steps his government has taken to deal with the emerging human tragedy in East Timor?
ANSWER
Thank you Mr Speaker. I firstly express the concern and sympathy of this government for the people who are caught up in the violence in East Timor, and particularly for those East Timorese members of our community who have lost family or friends in East Timor, and also have family or friends who are in a very stressful state because of the violence in that particular community.
East Timor is 440 miles, or 2 hours flying time, at most, from Darwin. Therefore the issues of East Timor are clearly issues for Australia, and are particularly issues for the Northern Territory. I have made those comments on many occasions. On the first opportunity I had to meet the Prime Minister, part of those discussions were on the issue of East Timor. I have taken every opportunity to raise those issues in the appropriate way. One should understand that no matter what our relationships with East Timor, and no matter what our concerns about the East Timorese citizens who live in our community as Territorians, we are a Territory government. We are not a national government. We don’t deal directly on foreign affairs issues and we can only use our influence on the federal government in the appropriate way because it is the federal government’s responsibility to act on these issues. What we have done, and I’ll table this ...
Mr Toyne interjecting.
Mr SPEAKER: Order, there is just too much chatter.
Mr BURKE: What we have done, as long ago as when I believed these issues really needed addressing closely, is to give directions to the Department of Asian Relations and Trade, with the support of the business community, and I would congratulate minister Manzie’s department for their efforts in preparing a capability statement. I table that capability statement for the information of honourable members, which talks about essentially a stocktake of the human and material resources that we have in the Northern Territory, particularly in Darwin, that we can make available for any aid, any peace-keeping, or any humanitarian effort.
Mr Toyne interjecting.
Mr BURKE: Mr Speaker, surely the opposition would be quiet ...
Mr Toyne interjecting.
Mr BURKE: ... in this instance whilst I deal with this very important subject.
The capability statement has been drafted through close consultation with the Department of Foreign Affairs, and through close consultation with the United Nations, and, I might also add, through close consultation with former members of the defence force who are involved in these issues. That statement is in the hands of the United Nations, and I know that the United Nations, through foreign affairs and defence, is preparing contingency plans as to how the national government will act with East Timor if that is required. The Northern Territory has done everything it can to say that we are willing, we are ready, we are able within our capability to assist if called. ‘If’ called is the operative word, because these issues are not the prerogative of the Northern Territory government to advance ourselves.
Can I also take the opportunity to welcome back minister Manzie who has just returned from Indonesia, and who had, in his visit, over 1 hour’s discussion with President Habibie. That in itself, I believe, is a clear indication of the close relationship that exists with the Northern Territory ...
Mr Stirling: Did he raise East Timor?
Ms Martin: Did he raise East Timor? What did he say?
Mr Coulter: Yes, he did.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Ms Martin interjecting.
Mr Coulter: If you just be quiet you might hear.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr BURKE: To pick up the comment from the Labor Leader opposite, ‘Did he raise East Timor?’, I can tell you that that was part of the reason he was sent to Indonesia.
Ms Martin interjecting.
Mr BURKE: I was hopeful, but I thought that given the heavy issues that President Habibie has on his plate at the moment, I thought it would be difficult for minister Manzie to get to see him. He had 1 hour of discussion with him and I think that’s an excellent result, and confirms the excellent relationship the Northern Territory government has with Indonesia.
Members interjecting.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr BURKE: The way the Indonesian government is persuaded is through that sort of relationship, and by the continued support of the Indonesian government by this government as they deal with those very difficult issues that they have in East Timor. I understand General Aranto is travelling there today to take control of the situation, and it is clearly, and recognised by the Australian government, the prerogative of the Indonesian government to deal with East Timor.
To my mind it is laughable to suggest that a Northern Territory government, through its Chief Minister, should go any further in our efforts to assist the situation there, other than through the efforts that we’ve already done.
Mr Stirling: Don’t do anything for foreign aid. Don’t start an avalanche.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr BURKE: Well we certainly won’t be running around collecting $1000 donations and saying to business people that if you get in on this little package you might get a foot through the door early with some business venture in East Timor. That, to my mind, is the height of irresponsibility when you are dealing with the difficulties that are in East Timor at the moment.
We are prepared, we are willing, we are able. We hope the situation is resolved. It’s certainly in the hands of the Indonesian government, the Australian government, the Portuguese government, and those who can influence the United Nations. But, if the call is made, the Northern Territory government, and all its resources, will assist.
ANSWER
Thank you Mr Speaker. I firstly express the concern and sympathy of this government for the people who are caught up in the violence in East Timor, and particularly for those East Timorese members of our community who have lost family or friends in East Timor, and also have family or friends who are in a very stressful state because of the violence in that particular community.
East Timor is 440 miles, or 2 hours flying time, at most, from Darwin. Therefore the issues of East Timor are clearly issues for Australia, and are particularly issues for the Northern Territory. I have made those comments on many occasions. On the first opportunity I had to meet the Prime Minister, part of those discussions were on the issue of East Timor. I have taken every opportunity to raise those issues in the appropriate way. One should understand that no matter what our relationships with East Timor, and no matter what our concerns about the East Timorese citizens who live in our community as Territorians, we are a Territory government. We are not a national government. We don’t deal directly on foreign affairs issues and we can only use our influence on the federal government in the appropriate way because it is the federal government’s responsibility to act on these issues. What we have done, and I’ll table this ...
Mr Toyne interjecting.
Mr SPEAKER: Order, there is just too much chatter.
Mr BURKE: What we have done, as long ago as when I believed these issues really needed addressing closely, is to give directions to the Department of Asian Relations and Trade, with the support of the business community, and I would congratulate minister Manzie’s department for their efforts in preparing a capability statement. I table that capability statement for the information of honourable members, which talks about essentially a stocktake of the human and material resources that we have in the Northern Territory, particularly in Darwin, that we can make available for any aid, any peace-keeping, or any humanitarian effort.
Mr Toyne interjecting.
Mr BURKE: Mr Speaker, surely the opposition would be quiet ...
Mr Toyne interjecting.
Mr BURKE: ... in this instance whilst I deal with this very important subject.
The capability statement has been drafted through close consultation with the Department of Foreign Affairs, and through close consultation with the United Nations, and, I might also add, through close consultation with former members of the defence force who are involved in these issues. That statement is in the hands of the United Nations, and I know that the United Nations, through foreign affairs and defence, is preparing contingency plans as to how the national government will act with East Timor if that is required. The Northern Territory has done everything it can to say that we are willing, we are ready, we are able within our capability to assist if called. ‘If’ called is the operative word, because these issues are not the prerogative of the Northern Territory government to advance ourselves.
Can I also take the opportunity to welcome back minister Manzie who has just returned from Indonesia, and who had, in his visit, over 1 hour’s discussion with President Habibie. That in itself, I believe, is a clear indication of the close relationship that exists with the Northern Territory ...
Mr Stirling: Did he raise East Timor?
Ms Martin: Did he raise East Timor? What did he say?
Mr Coulter: Yes, he did.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Ms Martin interjecting.
Mr Coulter: If you just be quiet you might hear.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr BURKE: To pick up the comment from the Labor Leader opposite, ‘Did he raise East Timor?’, I can tell you that that was part of the reason he was sent to Indonesia.
Ms Martin interjecting.
Mr BURKE: I was hopeful, but I thought that given the heavy issues that President Habibie has on his plate at the moment, I thought it would be difficult for minister Manzie to get to see him. He had 1 hour of discussion with him and I think that’s an excellent result, and confirms the excellent relationship the Northern Territory government has with Indonesia.
Members interjecting.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr BURKE: The way the Indonesian government is persuaded is through that sort of relationship, and by the continued support of the Indonesian government by this government as they deal with those very difficult issues that they have in East Timor. I understand General Aranto is travelling there today to take control of the situation, and it is clearly, and recognised by the Australian government, the prerogative of the Indonesian government to deal with East Timor.
To my mind it is laughable to suggest that a Northern Territory government, through its Chief Minister, should go any further in our efforts to assist the situation there, other than through the efforts that we’ve already done.
Mr Stirling: Don’t do anything for foreign aid. Don’t start an avalanche.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr BURKE: Well we certainly won’t be running around collecting $1000 donations and saying to business people that if you get in on this little package you might get a foot through the door early with some business venture in East Timor. That, to my mind, is the height of irresponsibility when you are dealing with the difficulties that are in East Timor at the moment.
We are prepared, we are willing, we are able. We hope the situation is resolved. It’s certainly in the hands of the Indonesian government, the Australian government, the Portuguese government, and those who can influence the United Nations. But, if the call is made, the Northern Territory government, and all its resources, will assist.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016