While most Australian Tibet supporters were either tucked up in bed or heading home from the Dalai Lama’s teaching in Sydney, a group of activists in Perth were on hand to remind the Foreign Minister of Australians’ concerns over Tibet before his meeting with the Dalai Lama.

Two local Tibetans and a small group of Tibet supporters greeted the Foreign Minister with placards saying ‘Stephen Smith, Support Tibet China Dialogue’. The meeting occurred at 9.30pm local time, the details having been kept under wraps from the media. Nonetheless, reporters from the West Australian and ABC arrived seeking a statement from the Foreign Minister after the meeting.

The Australia Tibet Council wrote to Stephen Smith ahead of the meeting requesting he talk to the Dalai Lama about ways in which Australia can actively promote and support negotiations on an ongoing basis.

“We are concerned that the Australian government has not maintained the leadership role on Tibetan issues which it displayed in recent months. The opportunity which exists in the lead up to the Beijing Olympics to progress the Sino-Tibetan dialogue is fast disappearing” said Paul Bourke, Executive Officer of the Australia Tibet Council.

The meeting lasted for 40 minutes. The Foreign Minister is yet to comment.