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Tuesday, 6 September 2005
Page: 139


Mr Snowdon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs, in writing, on 10 August 2005:

Does Australia support the organisation of a referendum on self-determination in Western Sahara and does the Government support the implementation of the United Nations Peace Plan for self-determination of the people of Western Sahara which was endorsed by the Security Council in Resolution 1495 of 31 July 2003.


Mr Downer (Minister for Foreign Affairs) —The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

The Australian Government supports an early and durable political settlement on the Western Sahara that is acceptable to all directly interested parties.  Australia supports the earliest possible holding of a referendum, to allow the population of the Western Sahara to exercise its right to self determination, so long as that remains the only process fully endorsed by the United Nations for resolving the dispute.