Tibet motion passes Australian Senate

Supported by the Coalition, a motion from Senators Bob Brown and Nick Xenophon backing the wishes of the Tibetan people to have the Dalai Lama return to Tibet was passed in the Australian Senate today.

The government opposed the motion, which reads that the Senate:

a. endorses the meetings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama with Coalition leaders Messers Tony Abbott and Warren Truss, and Australian Greens Leader Senator Bob Brown;
b. expresses disappointment that neither the Prime Minister (Ms Gillard) nor the Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr Rudd) were available to meet His Holiness the Dalai Lama;
c. notes that the last Prime Minister to meet His Holiness was Mr. John Howard in 2007; and wishes the people of Tibet well in their aspiration to have His Holiness return home to Tibet’s capital, Lhasa.

“This recognition of the lost freedom of Tibetans to have their spiritual leader at home will be welcomed by seven million Tibetans, including those in exile around the world,” Greens Leader Bob Brown said in Canberra.

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Marion Rae

Director of Media/Senior Media Adviser

Senator Bob Brown | Leader of the Australian Greens

Suite SG-111 Parliament House, Canberra ACT

P: 02 6277 3577 | M: 0438 376 082| F: 02 6277 3185

http://bob-brown.greensmps.org.au/