Mr SETTER - 1995-08-17
Today marks the 50th anniversary of Indonesian independence. As we speak, at the Indonesian Consulate a few hundred metres from here, Indonesian people are celebrating what they call their Proklamasi Day. Last year, on the same occasion, we saw a disgraceful display mainly by East Timorese activists who did their best to prevent the Indonesian people from celebrating their national day. I am sure the Chief Minister would have observed recently in the media reports of the burning of the Indonesian flag and, a day or two ago, the burning of the personal standard of President Suharto. As the relationship between the Northern Territory and Indonesia is an important matter, can the Chief Minister give his views on these activities?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, 50 years ago, the Indonesian people threw off the colonial rule of the Dutch. Literally hundreds of thousands of Indonesian men, women and children died in the fight for independence - a fight for independence that was strongly supported by many Australians, in particular the Australian trade union movement and prominent Australians at that time. Indonesia is our closest neighbour. Our country is different from Indonesia and Indonesians are different from us, but the inescapable fact is that Indonesia is our nearest neighbour. Territorians in particular have built a very close relationship with Indonesia over the years. That relationship predates white settlement. In 1972, we sent our first exchange teacher to Bali and, from that point on, and particularly since self-government, we have nurtured a relationship that has had its basis in education, sport, culture and trade. Many Territorians have friends in Indonesia. In fact, many Territorian Indonesians have made this place their home. Many Territorians do business in Indonesia.
Many Territorians have taken the time to telephone me this morning to express their outrage at what they have seen on television and read in newspapers about the burning of the Indonesian flag. We live in a democracy, and people are entitled to express a point of view. We do not resile from that. However, that does not include the desecration of symbols that are sacred to people. Were they alive today, the hundreds and thousands of men, women and children who died in that struggle for independence would have every reason to be very distressed by seeing the behaviour of the likes of Rob Wesley-Smith and his very small group on television last night. Imagine the outrage of Australians were they to observe on television, or read about in the newspaper, the burning of their flag. It is ironic that on Tuesday we were on our feet paying tribute, not only to the Australians who died during World War II and made great sacrifices ...
Mr Bailey: 40 000 East Timorese died supporting Australia as well.
Mr STONE: ... abroad and at home, but also to those in the region who fought with the allied forces - including the East Timorese, the Ambonese and many Indonesians who hold that flag very dear regardless of what regime may govern in Jakarta. It is like talking out of both sides of our mouth that we should praise these people on one day and then
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stand by 2 days later to watch their flag being burnt, a flag that symbolises independence, struggle and freedom to those in the fourth most populous country in the world.
Mrs Padgham-Purich: Aren't they Australian citizens?
Mr STONE: As I said, we live in a democracy and you are entitled to your point of view. However, that does not include the desecration of symbols that are sacred to people, particularly on the 50th anniversary of the independence of the Indonesian people.
I call on the Commonwealth government ...
Mr Bailey: I did not hear you say the same after the Santa Cruz massacre.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr STONE: I call on the Commonwealth government to amend the ...
Mr Bailey interjecting.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr Bailey interjecting.
Mr SPEAKER: Order! I warn the member for Wanguri, who is continuing to talk over me when I call for order.
Mr STONE: I call on the Commonwealth government to amend the appropriate legislation to make the burning of a national flag, including the Australian flag, an offence. I was absolutely staggered to discover that it is possible for a person to burn the Australian flag, indeed to burn the Territory flag, with impunity. I call upon the Commonwealth government to rectify this disgraceful state of affairs without further delay.
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, 50 years ago, the Indonesian people threw off the colonial rule of the Dutch. Literally hundreds of thousands of Indonesian men, women and children died in the fight for independence - a fight for independence that was strongly supported by many Australians, in particular the Australian trade union movement and prominent Australians at that time. Indonesia is our closest neighbour. Our country is different from Indonesia and Indonesians are different from us, but the inescapable fact is that Indonesia is our nearest neighbour. Territorians in particular have built a very close relationship with Indonesia over the years. That relationship predates white settlement. In 1972, we sent our first exchange teacher to Bali and, from that point on, and particularly since self-government, we have nurtured a relationship that has had its basis in education, sport, culture and trade. Many Territorians have friends in Indonesia. In fact, many Territorian Indonesians have made this place their home. Many Territorians do business in Indonesia.
Many Territorians have taken the time to telephone me this morning to express their outrage at what they have seen on television and read in newspapers about the burning of the Indonesian flag. We live in a democracy, and people are entitled to express a point of view. We do not resile from that. However, that does not include the desecration of symbols that are sacred to people. Were they alive today, the hundreds and thousands of men, women and children who died in that struggle for independence would have every reason to be very distressed by seeing the behaviour of the likes of Rob Wesley-Smith and his very small group on television last night. Imagine the outrage of Australians were they to observe on television, or read about in the newspaper, the burning of their flag. It is ironic that on Tuesday we were on our feet paying tribute, not only to the Australians who died during World War II and made great sacrifices ...
Mr Bailey: 40 000 East Timorese died supporting Australia as well.
Mr STONE: ... abroad and at home, but also to those in the region who fought with the allied forces - including the East Timorese, the Ambonese and many Indonesians who hold that flag very dear regardless of what regime may govern in Jakarta. It is like talking out of both sides of our mouth that we should praise these people on one day and then
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stand by 2 days later to watch their flag being burnt, a flag that symbolises independence, struggle and freedom to those in the fourth most populous country in the world.
Mrs Padgham-Purich: Aren't they Australian citizens?
Mr STONE: As I said, we live in a democracy and you are entitled to your point of view. However, that does not include the desecration of symbols that are sacred to people, particularly on the 50th anniversary of the independence of the Indonesian people.
I call on the Commonwealth government ...
Mr Bailey: I did not hear you say the same after the Santa Cruz massacre.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr STONE: I call on the Commonwealth government to amend the ...
Mr Bailey interjecting.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr Bailey interjecting.
Mr SPEAKER: Order! I warn the member for Wanguri, who is continuing to talk over me when I call for order.
Mr STONE: I call on the Commonwealth government to amend the appropriate legislation to make the burning of a national flag, including the Australian flag, an offence. I was absolutely staggered to discover that it is possible for a person to burn the Australian flag, indeed to burn the Territory flag, with impunity. I call upon the Commonwealth government to rectify this disgraceful state of affairs without further delay.
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Last updated: 09 Aug 2016