On Thursday 15 May, the Australian Senate passed a motion requesting the Australian Government to ‘actively support and monitor progress of the China-Tibet dialogue’.

Moved by Greens leader Senator Bob Brown and passed without dissent, the motion is the third on Tibet to pass through the Senate since the demonstrations and subsequent crackdown inside Tibet began in March.

The motion notes the continuing troubles in Tibet, notes the Prime Minister’s recent forthright comments on Tibet, welcomes the talks between the Chinese Government and representatives of the 14th Dalai Lama earlier this month and requests the Australian Government ‘help bring about a positive outcome’.

‘We’ve been saying all year that Australia is in a strong position to help resolve the Tibet-China issue,’ said Simon Bradshaw, Campaign Coordinator for the Australia Tibet Council. ‘This motion gives a clear mandate to the Australian government to continue its support for the dialogue process and help bolster the chances of a substantive and mutually agreeable outcome.’

The full text of the motion:

That the Senate:

a) notes:
(i) the continuing human rights concerns in Tibet,
(ii) the continuing restrictions on entry to Tibetan areas for journalists, international observers, non-government agencies and foreign diplomats;

b) welcomes the informal talks between the Chinese Government and representatives of the 14th Dalai Lama on 4th and 5th of May in Shenzhen, China and the agreement to hold a further round of the China-Tibet dialogue;

c) encourages both parties to work sincerely towards a peaceful and mutually agreeable resolution of the China-Tibet issue;

d) welcomes the Prime Minister’s forthright statements during his recent trip to China, both in public and in private with the Chinese Premier and President, on the need for constructive dialogue;

e) appreciates the Prime Minister’s commitment to being a ‘zhengyou or ‘true friend’ to the Chinese leadership and his willingness to raise challenging issues including Tibet;