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Wednesday, 12 September 2012
Page: 6768

Senator DI NATALE (Victoria) (16:18): Mr President, I seek leave to make a short statement.

The PRESIDENT: Leave is granted for one minute.

Senator DI NATALE: I am absolutely staggered that we are going to vote down a condolence motion for a great Australian who has campaigned tirelessly on a number of issues as well as the rights of refugees, somebody who has contributed to the artistic community and who has worked on East Timorese issues—something that Australians should all be proud of. Yet, on the basis of her advocacy for the people of West Papua, who are currently being slaughtered, we are going to vote down a condolence motion. Where is the courage to stand up and say: 'Well done. You deserve our respect.' It is appalling. Have we become China, that we cannot celebrate a great Australian citizen who has worked so hard on so many issues and deserves the respect of this parliament? I am absolutely appalled.

The ACTING DEPUTY PRESIDENT ( Senator Mark Bishop ): The question is that Senator Madigan's motion be agreed to.