Senator BROWN (5:03 PM) —I thank all the contributors to this debate. I should mention the particular role of Max Lane, a former Sydney university lecturer, national coordinator of ASIET and director of the Australian Pacific Institute, in enabling us to hear the words of Xanana Gusmao and other leaders through that letter brought from Indonesia. The Greens would have preferred to have had the motion calling for an act of self-determination for East Timor to the Indonesian authorities as it stood. But we understand that there is a quickening evolution in the policies of both the major parties and that, while the amendment falls short of calling for an act of self-determination, the Labor Party has worked hard to come up with the wording which at least recognises that there can be no just and lasting settlement in East Timor until, through a process of negotiation, the people of East Timor can exercise their right of self-determination.

I reiterate that Australians at large want to see the East Timorese unshackled, the prisoners out of gaol, the end of the threats of violence, killings, rape, torture and repression of civil rights in East Timor. Successive governments in this country have failed to reflect the feeling of the vast majority of people right around Australia in wanting to see freedom for our East Timorese neighbours. This is one small step in the direction of achieving that freedom and properly reflecting the feelings of Australians as against those of governments past and present.

With that in mind, we accept the amendment from the Labor Party and will be pleased to see this motion go through the Senate and be transmitted back to give more hope to the people of East Timor as they move towards that inevitable day when they do have freedom again in the sun.

Amendment agreed to.

Motion, as amended, agreed to.