Mr BAIRD (4:11 PM) —I move:

That this House commends the efforts of the Indonesian Government in bringing justice to those who were responsible for the Bali bombing and, in particular:

(1) applauds Indonesia in formally charging 24 people in connection with the Bali bombing and the conviction of 5 of those people;

(2) congratulates the Indonesian police and Australian Federal Police in the rapid dismantling of the cell that carried out the attack on 12 October 2002;

(3) recognises and commends the Australian Federal Police for the significant role it has played in helping the Indonesian police bring these terrorists to trial; and

(4) commends the Government on the $10 million package of assistance for counter-terrorism capability building.

The last 12 months have been particularly difficult in Australia. The loss of 88 young Australian lives in the Bali blast affected us all. In my area, seven young women died. They were Renae Anderson, Simone Hanley, Michelle Dunlop, Charmaine Whitton, Jodi Wallace, Francoise Dahan and Jodie O'Shea. They were our best and fairest—young women in the prime of their lives, full of fun and the spirit of adventure.

October 12 changed Australia forever. Our concept that terrorism occurred elsewhere—in the Middle East, New York and Ireland but not in our area of the world—was shattered by a blast so large that it set off seismic equipment used to measure earthquakes in Indonesia. Paddy's Bar and the Sari nightclub were destroyed and the blast could be heard some 20 kilometres from the site.

Bali, the popular destination for Australian holidaymakers, the place described by David Attenborough as the most beautiful place on earth, was torn apart. Some 202 people lay dying. Some died instantly, while others endured excruciating pain for weeks and then finally succumbed. Simone Jane Hanley from my electorate lasted for over 50 days at the burns unit at Royal Perth Hospital before she finally gave up the struggle. What was so tragic is that she was the sister of Renae Anderson, another victim from my electorate, who left behind a husband and a little four-year-old boy, Noah. Renae's and Simone's mother, Mary Jane Hanley, has been devastated by the loss of her two daughters. Two weeks ago, a few hundred metres from North Cronulla Beach, where all the girls had swum, a small memorial was unveiled and Noah Anderson released one of seven doves to symbolise the loss of these cherished lives in the Sutherland shire.

In my dealings with the parents and partners of the victims it is true to say that they felt enormous gratitude to the Indonesian police—and to the Australian Federal Police—for tracking down those responsible for this terrible tragedy and bringing them to justice. The Indonesians have been very successful and resolute, and the most recent figures show that 29 JI members have been formally charged in connection with the Bali bombing and 18 have been convicted. There has been a rapid dismantling of the cell that carried out the attack on October 12.

It was remarkable that the major breakthrough came only three weeks after the blast. On 2 November a welded plate that had a number on it was found. It was used some 15 years before to register a vehicle that had previously been used as a bus but later was used in the Bali bombing. From the number, the van could be traced to the original owner, who supplied authorities with the details of the person to whom he had sold the vehicle. That, of course, turned out to be Amrozi, who made a partial confession when apprehended. Since then the Indonesian police have been successful in apprehending most of the leading figures from JI who are involved in terrorism.

The Australian Federal Police are Australia's foremost law enforcement agency. They work hard to provide dynamic and effective law enforcement to the people of Australia. They protect the Commonwealth and national interests from crime in Australia and overseas and are Australia's international law enforcement and policing representatives. The AFP's assistance, advice and hard work cannot go unnoticed and they must be commended for the significant assistance they have given to the Indonesian police in the international bid to bring these terrorists to trial. They went to Bali in the aftermath of the bombing at the invitation of the Indonesian government to assist Indonesian police in their investigations. Within 24 hours they were mobilised and were at the scene providing assistance. In fact, at the height of the investigation in excess of 120 Australian law enforcement personnel were working alongside Indonesians and experts from around the world in relation to the investigation and the disaster victim identification process.

The AFP have in recent history forged strong links with authorities across the whole of South-East Asia. This has occurred to ensure that a collaborative approach is taken to law enforcement across Asia. Recently a memorandum of understanding was signed with Indonesia which resulted in the AFP being invited by the Indonesian national police to participate in a task force to locate Hambali. Such cooperation works and pays dividends. In August Hambali, the man considered to be the main link between al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiah and almost certainly the mastermind behind the Bali bombings, was captured.

Most in this place will be aware of the $10 million package of assistance for counter-terrorism capability building, including a police component, which has been put in place. That was in addition to AusAID, which contributed $3.5 million to the activity which includes crisis management training and intelligence officer and analyst training, and institutional support for the establishment of a transnational crime centre and the development of a criminal information management system. I commend the motion to the House.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Jenkins)—Is the motion seconded?

Mr Jull —I second the motion and reserve my right to speak.