Senator BROWN —My question is addressed to the Minister representing the Minister for Foreign Affairs. I refer to the massacre of people on the wharf at Biak in West Papua on the morning of 6 July this year, which has been reported widely—including in the reports of Lindsay Murdoch in the Sydney Morning Herald and in the Age . I ask the minister: what information does the government have about this massacre and the subsequent murder of up to 137 people aboard an Indonesian ship, where they were taken offshore from Biak following the raising of the West Papuan flag on the morning of 1 July in Biak? What form of protest has the government made to the Indonesian authorities and what moves is the government making to ensure a full, open and independent international inquiry into this shocking set of events. (Time expired)

Senator HILL (Environment and Heritage) —Madam President, the honourable senator refers to an event in July of this year. I do not have a brief on that. I will seek advice and give him an answer as soon as possible.

Senator BROWN —Madam President, I ask a supplementary question. I inform the minister that this has been front page news in Australia, although he does not know about it. In seeking advice, would he find out when the government approached two Australians, Mr Paul Meixner and Ms Rebecca Casey, who were in a house adjacent to the wharf when the original massacre took place? Will the minister be able to report back either to me or to the Senate about the safety of up to 20 political prisoners, including Dr Filip Karma, who were dragged from the wharf or from their homes and have been charged with rebellion following the massacres by the Indonesian troops?

Senator HILL (Environment and Heritage) —As I said, Madam President, I will refer the matters to the minister and get a response.