Senator LUDWIG (Special Minister of State and Cabinet Secretary) (4:19 PM) —I seek leave to make a short statement.

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT —Leave is granted for two minutes.

Senator LUDWIG —The Australian government does not support this motion. As has been stated just recently, the government objects to using formal motions to deal with complex international matters, particularly those involving other governments. The Dalai Lama is a significant religious leader and Nobel prize laureate. He has visited Australia in this capacity on several occasions. Successive Australian governments have consistently adhered to a one-China policy. We recognise China’s sovereignty over Tibet and China’s territorial integrity. The Australian government does not recognise the Tibetan government in exile as a government. The government considers that the key to a comprehensive and durable solution to problems in Tibet lies in continued negotiations between representatives of his Holiness and China conducted sincerely and in good faith. We do not believe that either the Australian government’s careful management of the complex and important relationship with China or progress on sensitive Tibetan issues will be materially assisted by this motion.