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- Title
SOMALIA
- Database
Senate Hansard
- Date
17-12-1992
- Source
Senate
- Parl No.
36
- Electorate
SA
- Interjector
- Page
5378
- Party
LP
- Presenter
- Status
- Question No.
- Questioner
- Responder
- Speaker
Senator HILL
- Stage
- Type
- Context
Miscellaneous
- System Id
chamber/hansards/1992-12-17/0146
Note: Where available, the PDF/Word icon below is provided to view the complete and fully formatted document
Table Of Contents

Previous Fragment Next Fragment
-
Hansard
- Start of Business
- PETITIONS
-
STATUTORY BODIES
- Membership
-
NOTICES OF MOTION
- Days and Hours of Sitting
- Dr Bob Brown
- Grain Production in South Australia
- Victoria: Schools
- Australian Broadcasting Authority
- Hospitals
- Regulations and Ordinances Committee
- Unemployment: Graduates
- Compulsory Unionism
- Days and Hours of Sitting
- Australian Institute of Criminology
- Government Documents
- Sex Discrimination
- Government Documents
- Mr Mordechai Vanunu
- ORDER OF BUSINESS
-
NOTICES OF MOTION
-
Standing Committee on Industry, Technology and Commerce
- Withdrawal
-
Standing Committee on Industry, Technology and Commerce
- TABLING OF DOCUMENTS
-
COMMITTEES
- Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology
- BURMA
-
AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION AMENDMENT BILL 1992
- First Reading
- Second Reading
-
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS (RESOLUTION OF BOYCOTTS) AMENDMENT BILL 1992
- First Reading
- Second Reading
-
ADMINISTRATIVE APPEALS TRIBUNAL AMENDMENT BILL 1992
- First Reading
- Second Reading
-
COMMITTEES
- Standing Committee on Environment, Recreation and the Arts
- SPECIAL ADJOURNMENT
- LEAVE OF ABSENCE
- BILLS RETURNED FROM THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
-
COMMITTEES
-
Standing Committee on Finance and Public Administration
- Report
- Standing Committee on Rural and Regional Affairs
-
Standing Committee on Finance and Public Administration
- CUSTOMS LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL 1992 CUSTOMS LEGISLATION (ANTI-DUMPING AMENDMENTS) BILL 1992 CUSTOMS TARIFF (ANTI-DUMPING) AMENDMENT BILL (No. 2) 1992 CUSTOMS TARIFF AMENDMENT BILL (No. 2) 1992
- CORPORATE LAW REFORM BILL 1992
- SEAFARERS REHABILITATION AND COMPENSATION BILL 1992 SEAFARERS REHABILITATION AND COMPENSATION (TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS AND CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS) BILL 1992 SEAFARERS REHABILITATION AND COMPENSATION LEVY BILL 1992 SEAFARERS REHABILITATION AND COMPENSATION LEVY COLLECTION BILL 1992
-
MATTERS OF PUBLIC INTEREST
- South Australian Liberal Party
- South Australia
- Toxic Chemicals
- Foreign Investment in Australia
- Public Service (Abolition of Compulsory Retirement Age) Amendment Bill 1992
- Food Labelling
-
Privatisation of Government Bodies
- Tasmanian Oyster Industry
- Mr Michael Pratt
- QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
- DISTINGUISHED VISITORS
-
QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
-
FAI Insurance: Westpac Bank
(Senator COLSTON, Senator TATE) -
Racism
(Senator BOURNE, Senator TATE) -
Textiles Industry
(Senator LOOSLEY, Senator BUTTON) -
Air Traffic Control Contract
(Senator MacGIBBON, Senator COLLINS) -
Wages of Women
(Senator REYNOLDS, Senator COOK) -
Prime Minister: Companies
(Senator MICHAEL BAUME, Senator BUTTON) -
Sexual Harassment
(Senator WALSH, Senator TATE) -
Hospitals
(Senator PATTERSON, Senator TATE) -
Unemployment
(Senator LEES, Senator COOK) -
Wool Tax Rebate
(Senator BOSWELL, Senator COOK) -
Indonesia: Earthquake
(Senator HARRADINE, Senator GARETH EVANS) -
Defence
(Senator DURACK, Senator ROBERT RAY) -
Exports to China
(Senator FAULKNER, Senator GARETH EVANS) -
Joint House Department: Public Liability Claim
(Senator HERRON) -
Motor Vehicle Industry Executives
(Senator MAGUIRE, Senator BUTTON) -
Tax on Services
(Senator BUTTON) -
Nuclear Reactors
(Senator BUTTON) -
Taxation Determinations
(Senator BUTTON) -
Pigs
(Senator GARETH EVANS) -
Ambassador to the OECD
(Senator GARETH EVANS) -
Public Service: Union Activities
(Senator COOK) -
Unemployment
(Senator COOK) -
Med-Network Systems Pty Ltd
(Senator TATE) - Joint House Department: Public Liability Claim
- Joint House Department: Public Liability Claim
- Joint House Department: Public Liability Claim
- Joint House Department: Public Liability Claim
- Joint House Department: Public Liability Claim
- Joint House Department: Public Liability Claim
- Joint House Department: Public Liability Claim
- Joint House Department: Public Liability Claim
- Joint House Department: Public Liability Claim
- Joint House Department: Public Liability Claim
-
FAI Insurance: Westpac Bank
-
MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS
- Procedural Text
- Motion of Precedence
- Motion of Censure
-
PETITIONS
- National Flag
- Procedural Text
-
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ON NOTICE
- Arts, Sport, the Environment and Territories: Grants
- SOMALIA
-
COMMITTEES
-
Superannuation
- Report: Government Response
- Reports: Government Responses
-
Superannuation
- NEW ZEALAND FINANCE AND EXPENDITURE COMMITTEE
-
GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS
-
Australian Sports Drug Agency
- Annual Report
- Department of Tourism
- Tobacco Research and Development Council
- Australian Sports Drug Agency
-
Private Health Insurance Administration Council
- Report
-
Australian Sports Drug Agency
-
DOCUMENTS
-
Auditor-General's Reports 1992-93
- No. 17: Health Insurance Commission
- No. 18: Department of Social Security
- Report No. 19: Department of Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic Affairs
- Report No. 20: Department of Employment, Education and Training
- Report No. 21: Department of Employment, Education and Training
- Report No. 22: Department of Defence
-
Auditor-General's Reports 1992-93
- ORDER OF BUSINESS
-
COMMITTEES
- Privileges
- ORDER OF BUSINESS
-
COMMITTEES
-
Privileges
- 36th and 37th Reports
-
Privileges
- BILLS RETURNED FROM THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
- TAXATION LAWS AMENDMENT (CAR PARKING) BILL 1992
- SEAFARERS REHABILITATION AND COMPENSATION BILL 1992 SEAFARERS REHABILITATION AND COMPENSATION (TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS AND CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS) BILL 1992 SEAFARERS REHABILITATION AND COMPENSATION LEVY BILL 1992 SEAFARERS REHABILITATION AND COMPENSATION LEVY COLLECTION BILL 1992
- MIGRATION AMENDMENT BILL (No. 4) 1992
- ADJOURNMENT
-
MIGRATION AMENDMENT BILL (No. 4) 1992
- Second Reading
-
In Committee
- Senator HARRADINE
- Senator TATE
- Senator HARRADINE
- Senator TATE
- Senator CHAMARETTE
- Senator TATE
- Senator TEAGUE
- Senator HARRADINE
- Senator TATE
- Senator HARRADINE
- Senator TATE
- Senator HARRADINE
- Senator TATE
- Senator SPINDLER
- Senator TATE
- Senator SPINDLER
- Senator TATE
- Senator COULTER
- Senator TATE
- Senator COULTER
- Senator TATE
- Senator SPINDLER
- Senator TATE
- Senator CHAMARETTE
- Senator TATE
- Senator CHAMARETTE
- Senator TATE
- Senator HARRADINE
- Senator TATE
- Senator HARRADINE
- Senator TATE
- Senator HARRADINE
- Senator CHAMARETTE
- Senator TATE
- Senator SPINDLER
- Senator TEAGUE
- Senator TATE
- Third Reading
- TAXATION LAWS AMENDMENT (CAR PARKING) BILL 1992
- TAXATION LAWS AMENDMENT BILL (No. 5) 1992
- CUSTOMS TARIFF AMENDMENT BILL (No. 2) 1992
- BILLS RETURNED FROM THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
-
RURAL ADJUSTMENT BILL 1992 STATES GRANTS (RURAL ADJUSTMENT) AMENDMENT BILL 1992 FARM HOUSEHOLD SUPPORT BILL 1992 INCOME EQUALISATION DEPOSITS LAWS AMENDMENT BILL 1992
-
In Committee
- Senator LEES
- Senator TAMBLING
- Senator COOK
- Senator LEES
- Senator COOK
- Senator LEES
- Senator COOK
- Senator LEES
- Senator COOK
- Senator LEES
- Senator COOK
- Senator LEES
- Senator COOK
- Senator LEES
- Senator COOK
- Senator LEES
- Senator TAMBLING
- Senator COOK
- Senator LEES
- Senator TAMBLING
- Senator LEES
- Senator TAMBLING
- Senator COOK
- Senator LEES
- Senator TAMBLING
- Senator COOK
- Senator LEES
- Senator TAMBLING
- Senator COOK
- Third Reading
-
In Committee
- NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE) BILL 1992
- BILLS RETURNED FROM THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
-
NATIONAL RESIDUE SURVEY ADMINISTRATION BILL 1992 NATIONAL RESIDUE SURVEY (CONSEQUENTIAL PROVISIONS) BILL 1992 NATIONAL RESIDUE SURVEY (COARSE GRAINS) LEVY BILL 1992 NATIONAL RESIDUE SURVEY (CATTLE TRANSACTION) LEVY BILL 1992 NATIONAL RESIDUE SURVEY (LIVESTOCK SLAUGHTER) LEVY BILL 1992 NATIONAL RESIDUE SURVEY (MEAT CHICKEN) LEVY BILL 1992 NATIONAL RESIDUE SURVEY (LAYING CHICKEN) LEVY BILL 1992 NATIONAL RESIDUE SURVEY (DAIRY PRODUCE) LEVY BILL 1992 NATIONAL RESIDUE SURVEY (HONEY) LEVY BILL 1992 NATIONAL RESIDUE SURVEY (HONEY EXPORT) LEVY BILL 1992 NATIONAL RESIDUE SURVEY (HORTICULTURAL PRODUCTS) LEVY BILL 1992 NATIONAL RESIDUE SURVEY (HORTICULTURAL PRODUCTS EXPORT) LEVY BILL 1992 NATIONAL RESIDUE SURVEY (OILSEEDS) LEVY BILL 1992 NATIONAL RESIDUE SURVEY (DRIED FRUITS) LEVY BILL 1992 NATIONAL RESIDUE SURVEY (WHEAT) LEVY BILL 1992 NATIONAL RESIDUE SURVEY (GRAIN LEGUMES) LEVY BILL 1992 NATIONAL RESIDUE SURVEY (GAME ANIMALS) LEVY BILL 1992 NATIONAL RESIDUE SURVEY (AQUATIC ANIMAL EXPORT) LEVY BILL 1992 NATIONAL RESIDUE SURVEY (HORSE SLAUGHTER) LEVY BILL 1992
- Second Reading
- In Committee
- Third Reading
- AGRICULTURAL AND VETERINARY CHEMICALS (ADMINISTRATION) BILL 1992 AGRICULTURAL AND VETERINARY CHEMICALS AMENDMENT BILL 1992
- COMMONWEALTH EMPLOYEES' REHABILITATION AND COMPENSATION AMENDMENT BILL 1992
- BILLS RETURNED FROM THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
- STATUTORY BODIES
- JOINT HOUSE DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC LIABILITY CLAIM
- ADJOURNMENT
- DOCUMENTS
-
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
-
Newstart Program
(Senator Reynolds, Senator Cook) -
Arts, Sport, the Environment and Territories: Grants
(Senator Short, Senator Collins) -
Mr Brown: Ms Murray
(Senator Alston, Senator Cook) -
Piparwar Coal Project
(Senator Bourne, Senator Gareth Evans) -
Defence: Joint Facilities
(Senator Chamarette, Senator Robert Ray) -
Aborigines: Yarrabah and Palm Island
(Senator O'Chee, Senator Collins) -
Australian International Development Assistance Bureau
(Senator Brownhill, Senator Gareth Evans) -
Local Government Development Program
(Senator Brownhill, Senator Tate) -
Ms Coral Bayley-Jones
(Senator Tierney, Senator Cook) -
Sudan
(Senator Chamarette, Senator Gareth Evans) -
Racial Discrimination
(Senator Chamarette, Senator Gareth Evans) -
Genetically Acquired Abnormalities: Register
(Senator Campbell, Senator Tate) -
Wildlife Protection: Controlled Specimens
(Senator Bell, Senator Collins) -
Australian Film Industry
(Senator Calvert, Senator Collins) -
Artificial Limbs
(Senator Newman, Senator Tate) -
Industrial Relations: Conscientious Objection
(Senator O'Chee, Senator Cook) -
Taxation: CER Review
(Senator Watson, Senator Gareth Evans) -
Cocos (Keeling) Islands: Administrator
(Senator Tambling, Senator Collins) -
Cocos (Keeling) Islands: Administrator
(Senator Tambling, Senator Collins) -
Anyinginyi Congress
(Senator Sowada, Senator Collins) -
Cyprus
(Senator Bourne, Senator Gareth Evans) -
Burma: Trade
(Senator Chamarette, Senator Gareth Evans)
-
Newstart Program
Content Window
Thursday, 17 December 1992
Page: 5378
Page: 5378
Senator HILL (Leader of the Opposition) (5.36 p.m.)
—The coalition is pleased to support the Government's decision in this instance and to support the motion on Somalia that is before the Senate today. Obviously, the decision to commit Australian forces overseas is one that would never be taken without very careful consideration. We accept that the Government has exercised due care in addressing the decision in this instance. Likewise, our support would never be given without very careful thought.
What is occurring in Somalia is a human tragedy of enormous consequences. No doubt it has happened before, but it is somewhat exciting that for the first time the international community is prepared, as an international community, to help in a situation such as this, where law and order has totally broken down and where the consequences of that are mass starvation and loss of life. Nevertheless, the decision of the international community to intervene in the internal affairs of a country is a big step for the UN to take, even though the humanitarian cause is no doubt just. There will be those—and it is sensible—who have some caution about what type of precedent is being created.
I remember addressing a United Nations Association conference in Canberra about 18 months ago. I said that in the circumstances of the new world order I thought the international community should have the courage to intervene in exceptional circumstances. I did not have the benefit of wisdom to know the tragedy that was going to unfold in Somalia. But the one instance that immediately comes to mind is when the Kurds were bombed with poisoned gas in Iraq a few years ago. The international community stood back embarrassed but not feeling that there was any capacity to intervene in such horrendous circumstances. As part of an international community, we have now reached a new maturity and confidence that will dissuade dictators and warlords from such appalling conduct their citizens in the future in relation to their citizens.
I am, therefore, pleased that the international community has shown this courage on this occasion. Whilst stating the obvious caution that it must be a humanitarian cause of unambiguous demand and severe consequence, nevertheless, we are pleased that the precedent has been set. We hope that it will help contribute to a more stable and peaceful world in the future not only in relation to conflicts between states but conflicts now within states.
I commend the United States, as I did in relation to the Gulf war. It should be mentioned again that the US is prepared to show a leadership which in many ways only the US really can show. As the one superpower in the world, it has a major responsibility. I hope that it will continue to exercise that responsibility under President-elect Clinton. In my view, his predecessor has shown an international leadership that is worthy of commendation. We commended him during the Gulf war and I do again in these different circumstances.
The Australian commitment to a force that will be operationally headed by the United States might cause some concern, but not to me. It seems to me to be a sensible command relationship in these difficult circumstances. It might be that one day in the future the international community will reach yet another level of confidence when it is able to put large forces such as this into an operation under a UN command. Clearly, the UN charter provides for this, but that is another stage of confidence in an operation of this size that is yet to be reached. We are gradually heading in that direction, and this is a step along the road.
The difficult question is that of disarming the heavily armed young men. As the Minister for Defence (Senator Robert Ray) has said, there are clear risks associated with that. But I join with the Minister and Senator Powell, through the sentiment that she has put in her amendment—which I respectfully suggest is probably unnecessary today, provided that the sentiment is expressed—that the objective of providing humanitarian relief will only permit a long term benefit if peace and stability can be restored. I cannot see how peace and stability will be restored without an effort in disarming the thugs, gangs and warlords. Therefore, it seems to me to be a necessary, logical step towards what we know is the ultimate objective of UNOSOM and Operation Restore Hope, which is to achieve peace and stability within Somalia for the benefit of the Somali people. I think this step is necessary, and this seems to be the force that is most appropriate to maximise the potential for UNOSOM to achieve its objectives.
The Australian armed forces have a proud record in peacekeeping work. I have visited them throughout the world, most recently in Cambodia. I said on a recent occasion that they are clearly a credit to Australia in Cambodia as they have been wherever they have served in these roles. I am sure that they will leave Somalia with Australia's reputation further enhanced as a result of their contribution. However, there are risks associated with this action. It is necessary for us to recognise them and to express our appreciation that Australian forces are prepared, under the Australian flag, to serve the international community in this way but, nevertheless, at risk to themselves. Their families make just as great a commitment as the men and women who go into the field in this task. We wish them well in what is a difficult task but a good cause. We trust that they will all return safely and we want them to go knowing that they have the full confidence and support of this Parliament.