Australia and Indonesia: Partners in a New Era Conference on Bilateral Relations Sydney, 19-21 February 2009 Hosted by

Andi Bratasida


Topic: Staffing—Language training
Hansard pp. 9 and 11
Senator Coonan and Senator Trood asked:
A. How many overseas positions have had their language training cut or reduced in the last 18 months?
B. Would the Department provide a list, across post, of language-designated positions and the language proficiency of the current occupants?
C. Are there any Deputy Heads of Mission anywhere around the world who do not have the required language for the position to which they are posted?
Answer
A. In 2008, seven language-designated positions were withdrawn from the overseas network. Of these positions, one had its training reallocated to another position at post.


B. Refer to attached list.

C. Three Deputy Heads of Mission do not have the required language proficiency.



Topic: Staffing—SES positions
Question in writing
Senator Gary Humphries asked:
A. How many SES positions were there in the DFAT as at:
1. 24 November 2007
2. 26 February 2009
B. How many SES positions were there in the ACIAR as at:
1. 24 November 2007
2. 26 February 2009



This data covers SES staff in Canberra, State Offices and at overseas posts.




Question 4
Output: Enabling services
Topic: Staffing—recruitment
Hansard pp. 12 and 13
Senator Trood asked:
A. With regard to 32 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) increase in staff reported on page 31 of the Portfolio Additional Estimates Statement, would the Department advise the level at which the staff were recruited?
Answer
The estimated 32 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) increase between the 2008-09 Budget and the Revised Estimates related to the full-year effect of 57 new positions commencing at different stages throughout 2008-09.

The increase was the result of New Policy Proposals (NPPs) funded through the Additional Estimates process (net increase of 21 FTE – representing 31 positions),

The levels of staff engaged in positions resulting from NPPs are as follows:

• Asia-Pacific Community Regional Consultations: two BB3s and one BB1/2;
• Bali Democracy Forum: one EL2, two BB3s and one BB1/2;
• International Commission for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament: one SES band 1, one EL2, three BB3s, and two BB1/2s;
• Pacific Engagement: one SES band 1, two EL2s, two BB3s and three BB1/2;
• Resident Ambassador to the Holy See: one SES band 2 and one BB1/2;
• Southern Ocean research: one BB3;
• UN Security Council Taskforce: one SES band 1, one EL2, three BB3s and one BB1/2.

The levels of staff engaged in positions resulting from the conversion of IT contractors to APS employees are 18 BB3s and 1 BB1/2. (Since the Revised Estimates, the number of positions to be converted has reduced from 21 to 19 positions.)

The levels of staff engaged in positions resulting from the other internally funded staffing decisions are one Medical Officer 3, one BB3 and three BB1/2s.

In most cases, the staff engaged in positions resulting from NPPs and the other internally funded staffing decisions were not recruited externally into those positions. Instead, they were engaged in those positions through redeployment within the Department. This in turn contributed to demand for external recruitment to fill resulting vacancies elsewhere within the Department. This is the usual method for filling vacancies in the Department, taking account of its mobile workforce and network spread across Canberra, state offices and overseas posts.

The staff engaged in positions resulting from the conversion of IT contractors to APS employees have been or are in the process of being recruited externally into those positions.


Question 5
Output 1.1.2
Topic: Australia-Indonesia bilateral relationship
Hansard p. 33
Senator Ludlam asked:
A. Would the Department provide the attendance list for the recent conference on the future of the Australia-Indonesia bilateral relationship that was held in Sydney earlier this year?
Answer
Yes. The attendance list and conference program are set out below. A conference summary will also be published by the Lowy Institute for International Policy shortly.

CONFERENCE DELEGATES
Business and Economic Development
Australia
Mr Chris Barnes, General Manager, Business Development International Financial Services, Commonwealth Bank of Australia
Mr Ian Buchanan, Senior Executive Adviser, Booz & Company, Booz & Company
Mr Harold Clough AO OBE, Chairman, McRae Investments Pty Ltd.
Mr John Denton, CEO, Corrs Chambers Westgarth
Mr Martin Eames, Vice President, Asia Pacific, Santos Ltd.
Ms Elizabeth Hallett, Partner, Deacons
Mr Lyall Howard, Manager of Government Relations, Public Affairs, BHP Billiton
Ms Susan Mann, CEO, Curriculum Corporation
Mr Richard Martin, Managing Director, International Market Assessment, Asia
Mr Bruce Munro, Chief Executive, Asia Operation, Thiess Pty Ltd.
Mr Ezekiel Solomon, Partner, Allens Arthur Robinson
Dr Grant Thorne, Head of Technology and Innovation, Rio Tinto
Mr Alex Thursby, CEO, Asia Pacific and Acting Group Managing Director, Institutional, ANZ Banking Group Ltd.
Mr Andrew Wilson, Director, Herald Resources Ltd.
Indonesia
Mr SD Darmono, President, Indonesia-Australia Business Council (IABC) and President Director PT Jababeka
Mr Fauzi Ichsan, Vice-President, Global Markets Economist, Standard Chartered
Dr Umar Juoro, Chairman, Centre for Information and Development Studies (CIDES) and participant in the 2005 Australia-Indonesia Young Leaders Dialogue
Ms Shinta W. Kamdani, Chairman of the Permanent Committee on International Trade Cooperation, Indonesian Chamber of Commerce (KADIN)
Mr Chris Kanter, Vice President and Chairman of Investment Department, Indonesian Chamber of Commerce (KADIN)
Mr William Katuari, President Director, Wings Group
Mr Noke Kiroyan, Managing Partner, Kiroyan Partners and Advisor, Indonesia-Australia Business Council (IABC)
Mr Moetaryanto, Vice-Chairman, Petrolog Group
Ms Syalomi Natalia, Program Officer AusAID ANTARA Office, Kupang and alumni 2005 Australia-Indonesia Youth Exchange Program (AIYEP)
Mr Agung Pambudhi, Executive Director, Regional Autonomy Watch (KPPOD)
Mr Phillip S. Purnama, Director, Spinnaker Capital Group
Mr Sabam Siagian, Director, The Jakarta Post, and Adviser, Indonesia Australia Business Council (IABC)
Mr Gandi Sulistiyanto Soeherman, Managing Director, Sinar Mas Group
Dr Sudarno Sumarto, Executive Director, Social Monitoring and Emergency Response Unit (SMERU) Research Institute
Civil society & academia
Australia
Professor Greg Barton, Herb Feith Research Professor for the Study of Indonesia, Monash University
Ms Alison Carroll, Director Arts Program, Asialink
Dr Malcolm Cook, Program Director, East Asia, Lowy Institute for International Policy
Professor Julian Disney, Professor and Director of the Social Justice Project, University of New South Wales
Professor Alan Dupont, Director, Centre for International Security Studies, University of Sydney
Dr Greg Fealy, Fellow and Senior Lecturer, Indonesian Politics, Department of Political and Social Change, Australian National University
Dr Michele Ford, Senior lecturer and Chair of the Department of Indonesian Studies, University of Sydney
Mr Allan Gyngell, Executive Director, Lowy Institute for International Policy
Dr Gerard Henderson, Executive Director, The Sydney Institute
Professor David Hill, Professor of South-East Asian Studies in the School of Social Sciences and Humanities, Murdoch University and Director, Australian Consortium for ‘In-Country’ Indonesian Studies (ACICIS)
Emeritus Professor Virginia Hooker, Professor Emeritus and Visiting Fellow, Department of Political & Social Change, Research School of Pacific & Asian Studies, Australian National University
Ms Kathe Kirby, Executive Director, Asialink
Professor Tim Lindsey, Chairman, Australia Indonesia Institute
Professor Andrew MacIntyre, Dean, ANU College of the Asia and the Pacific, Australian National University
Professor Jamie Mackie, Professor Emeritus and Visiting Fellow in the Indonesia Project, Australian National University
Ms Clare Martin, CEO, Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS)
Mr Sid Myer, Chairman, Asialink
Mr Ric Smith AO, Visiting Fellow at the Lowy Institute for International Policy and former Ambassador to Indonesia
Mr Nikolas Feith Tan, Student, University of Melbourne
Professor Michael Wesley, Director, Griffith Asia Institute, Griffith University
Ms Elena Williams, Program Manager, Australian Consortium for In-Country Indonesian Studies (ACICIS), Yogyakarta
Indonesia
Mr Raja Juli Antoni, Muhammadiyah Adviser on International Affairs
Dr Ahmad Lutfhi Assyaukanie, Lecturer Paramadina University
Dr Anies Baswedan, Rector Paramadina University
Ms Anita Dewi, Student in the Faculty of Arts, Monash University and former Director, Centre for International Language and Cultural Studies (CILACS), Indonesian Islamic University (UII), Yogyakarta
Dr I Ketut Putra Erawan, Executive Director, Institute for Peace and Democracy
Ms Eva Rahmi Kasim, Secretary-General, Indonesian Federation of Handicapped
Dr Jamhari Mahruf, Deputy Rector, State Islamic University (UIN) Jakarta and Director, Centre for the Study of Islam and Society (PPIM)
Mr Abdul Mu’ti, Director, Centre for Dialogue and Cooperation among Civilizations (CDCC)
Dr Musdah Mulia, Chairman of Indonesian Conference on Religion and Peace (ICRP)
Professor Anak Agung Banyu Perwita, Professor of International Relations, Parahyangan Catholic University
Dr Rizal Sukma, Executive Director, Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
Dr Din Syamsuddin, Chairman, Muhammadiyah
Ms Yenny Wahid, Wahid Institute
Ms Farah Pranita Wardhani, Executive Director, Indonesian Visual Arts Archive
Dr Wayah Surya Wiroto, Deputy Rector, Bina Nusantara University
Mrs Erna Witoelar, UN Special Ambassador for the MDGs and Chair of the Indonesian Biodiversity Foundation
Environment
Australia
Ms Gwen Andrews, Vice President, Alstom Power
Mr Ralph Ashton, Convenor, Terrestrial Carbon Group
Mr Roger Beale AO, Senior Associate, The Allen Consulting Group
Ms Tricia Caswell, CEO, Caswell and Associates
Dr Gilly Llewellyn, Program Leader - Oceans, WWF Australia
Mr Tony Wood, Director, Clean Energy Program, Clinton Foundation
Mr Oliver Yates, Executive Director, Macquarie Capital
Indonesia
Mr Fitrian Ardiansyah, Program Director, Climate and Energy, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Indonesia
Dr Gusti Z Anshari, Research Centre for Borneo Wetlands, People and Diversity
Mr Mas Achmad Santosa, Founder and Senior Researcher, Indonesian Centre for Environmental Law (ICEL)
Government
Australia
The Hon Mr Stephen Smith MP, Minister for Foreign Affairs
The Hon Mr Simon Crean MP, Minister for Trade
Senator the Hon Penny Wong, Minister for Climate Change and Water
The Hon Mr Bob McMullan MP, Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance
The Hon Mr James Spigelman AC, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of New South Wales
Mr Michael L’Estrange AO, Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Mr Peter Varghese, Director General, Office of National Assessment
Mr Bill Farmer AO, Ambassador to Indonesia
Mr Peter O’Byrne, CEO, Australian Trade Commission (Austrade)
Mr Angus Armour, Managing Director and CEO, Export Finance and Insurance Corporation (EFIC)
Ms Gillian Bird, Deputy Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Ambassador to ASEAN
Mr Richard Moore, Deputy Director General, Asia Division, Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID)
Ms Jan Adams, Ambassador for Climate Change
Ms Lynn Bean, First Assistant Secretary, Arts Division, Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
Indonesia
H.E. Dr Hassan Wirajuda, Minister for Foreign Affairs
H.E. Mr Rachmat Witoelar, State Minister for the Environment
H.E. Dr Mari Pangestu, Minister for Trade
H.E. Mr Frans Lebu Raya, Governor of East Nusa Tenggara Province (NTT)
Dr Adnan Buyung Nasution, Member, President’s Supreme Advisory Council
Dr Ir Yetti Rusli, Senior Adviser to the Minister of Forestry
H.E. Mr Primo Joelianto, Ambassador-Designate of the Republic of Indonesia to Australia
H.E. Mr Hamzah Thayeb, Director General, East Asia, Pacific and African Affairs, Department of Foreign Affairs
Mr Muhammad Lutfi, Chairman, Investment Coordination Board (BKPM)
Mr Mahendra Siregar, Deputy to the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs for International Economic Cooperation

Ms Liana Bratasida, Assistant Minister for Global Environmental Affairs and International Cooperation

Dr Ir Dedy Priatna, Deputy Minister for Infrastructure, National Planning and Development Agency (BAPPENAS)
DrTachrir Fathony, Director General of Forestry Research and Development Agency (FORDA), Ministry of Forestry
Professor Dr Indroyono Soesilo, Secretary-General, Coordinating Ministry of Social Welfare
Dr Idwan Suhardi, Deputy Minister for Utilisation and Dissemination of Science and Technology
Ms Finarya Legoh, Director of Science & Technology Centre (PP IPTEK)
Mr Muhammad Yusifidly Adhyaksana, Prosecutor, Attorney-General’s Office
Mr Kennedy Simanjuntak, Director, Bilateral Foreign Funding, National Planning and Development Agency (BAPPENAS)
Dr Jamin Habid, Regional Secretary, East Nusa Tenggara Province (NTT)
Media
Australia
Mr Michael Brissenden, Political Editor, 7:30 Report, ABC
Ms Geraldine Doogue AO, Host, Saturday Extra, ABC Radio
Mr Greg Earl, Editor, The Australian Financial Review
Mr Daniel Flitton, Diplomatic Editor, The Age
Mr Paul Kelly, Editor-at-Large, The Australian
Mr Hamish McDonald, Asia Pacific Editor, The Sydney Morning Herald
Mr Jim Middleton, Presenter for News Hour, Australia Network
Ms Sophie Morris, Journalist, Australian Financial Review and Australian winner of the 2008 Elizabeth O’Neill Journalism Award
Mr Greg Sheridan, Foreign Editor, The Australian
Mr Irfan Yusuf, freelance writer, columnist and lawyer
Indonesia
Ms Desi Anwar, Senior Journalist, Metro TV
Ms Ida Arimurti, Host of Ida and Krisna, 99.5 Delta FM
Mr Endy Bayuni, Chief Editor, The Jakarta Post
Ms Christiana Chan, Indonesian Press Council
Ms Maria Hartiningsih, Columnist and Writer, Kompas
Mr Bambang Harymurti, Chief Editor, Tempo Weekly
Ms Yuli Ismartono, Executive Editor, Tempo English Edition
Ms Zulfiani Lubis, Deputy Chief Editor, ANTV
Ms Laksmi Pamuntjak, writer and journalist
Mr Nezar Patria, Managing Editor for Kanal One
Ms Kartika Sari, International Reporter, Rakyat Merdeka, and Indonesian Winner of the 2008 Elizabeth O’Neill Journalism Award
Ms Sari Wahyuni, Editor in Chief, South-East Asian Journal of Management
Parliament
Australia
Mr Harry Jenkins MP, Speaker of the House of Representatives and Federal Member for Scullin (Victoria)
Ms Julie Bishop, Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs
Mr Jim Turnour MP, Federal Member for Leichhardt (Queensland) and Chairman, Australia-Indonesia Parliamentary Friendship Group
Dr Alan Eggleston, Senator for Western Australia and Deputy Chairman, Australia-Indonesia Parliamentary Friendship Group
Indonesia
H.E. Mr Marwan Batubara, Member of Regional Representatives Council (DPD), Jakarta
H.E. Dr La Ode Ida, Deputy Speaker, Regional Representative Council (DPD)
H.E. Ms Aryanti Baramuli Putri, Member of the Regional Representatives Council (DPD), North Sulawesi
H.E. Mr Theo L Sambuaga, Chairman, House of Representatives (DPR) Commission I (Foreign Affairs, Defence and Information)
H.E. Ms Eva Kusuma Sundari, Member of the House of Representatives (DPR) and DPR Commission III (Legal Affairs)
H.E. Mr Djoko Susilo, Member of the House of Representatives (DPR) and DPR Commission I (Foreign Affairs, Defence and Information)
H.E. Mr Abdillah Toha, Deputy Chair, DPR Commission I (Foreign Affairs, Defence and Information)






Australia and Indonesia: Partners in a New Era
Conference on Bilateral Relations
Sydney, 19-21 February 2009

Hosted by











In association with Supported by


Thursday 19 February 2009
1500 – 1800 Registration for Delegates
Location: Lobby Level, Inter-Continental Hotel, Sydney
1930 – 2200 Australia-Indonesia Institute 20th Anniversary Dinner and Conference Dinner (open to media)
Keynote address by Hon Kevin Rudd MP, Prime Minister of Australia (20 mins)
Brief remarks by H.E. Dr N. Hassan Wirajuda, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Republic of Indonesia (5-10 mins)

Venue: Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney
Dress: Lounge Suit/Batik
Day 1 Friday 20 February 2009
0830 – 0900 Registration for Delegates (continued)
Location: James Cook Ballroom foyer, Intercontinental Hotel, Sydney
0900 – 0915 Welcome and introduction
Welcome and introduction by Allan Gyngell, Executive Director, Lowy Institute for International Policy
Venue: James Cook Ballroom, Intercontinental Hotel, Sydney
0915 – 1030 Opening Session (open to media)
Address by Mr Stephen Smith, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australia and H E Dr N. Hassan Wirajuda, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Indonesia (20 mins each; 15 mins Q&A with delegates and attending media)
Venue: James Cook Ballroom, Intercontinental Hotel, Sydney
1030 – 1100 Morning Tea
Venue: James Cook Ballroom foyer
1100 – 1230 Session 1: Common Challenges as Democracies
Dynamics and opportunities in a new political era
Major reforms over the past decade have seen Indonesia emerge as South-East Asia’s largest and most vibrant democracy.
• What opportunities does Indonesia’s transition present for both countries to strengthen government-to-government cooperation?
• Are there common governance challenges where we can learn from each others’ experiences, such as initiatives to improve local governance and service delivery?
• In what key areas can we strengthen government-to-government links, including between parliaments and local governments? How can we best make those links work to our mutual benefit?

Moderated by Prof Andrew McIntyre, Australian National University
Speaker 1 Dr Rizal Sukma, CSIS (5-7 mins)
Speaker 2 Ms Clare Martin, ACOSS (5-7 mins)
Speaker 3 Dr Anies Baswedin, Paramadina University (5-7 mins)
Followed by Q&A/Group discussion
Venue: James Cook Ballroom, Intercontinental Hotel, Sydney
1230 – 1400 Working Lunch: Business partnerships
(open to media, by invitation)
Moderated by Mr Alex Thursby, Managing Director Asia Pacific, ANZ Banking Group Ltd

Address by Hon Mr Simon Crean, Minister for Trade, Australia and H E Dr Mari Pangestu, Minister for Trade, Indonesia
(15 mins each followed by 10 mins Q&A with delegates and attending media)

Venue: Fort Macquarie Room, Intercontinental Hotel, Sydney
1415 – 1545 Session 2: Economic development, business and investment
Economic engagement – new opportunities
Indonesia, like Australia, is grappling with the impact of the global financial crisis and still faces significant economic and development challenges, not least in translating its improved economic growth of recent years into better living standards for more of its people. Both governments recognise the Australia-Indonesia business relationship is underperforming.
What are Australia and Indonesia’s respective visions for their economies, and how can we achieve these?
What are the priority structural reforms to support Indonesia’s development?
How is Australia’s aid program helping Indonesia meet its broader development goals, including through key structural reforms? In what ways can capacity building be expanded?
How can Australia and Indonesia expand two-way trade and investment to our mutual benefit?
What sectors offer complementarities for trade and investment?
What steps can governments and the private-sector take to facilitate business ties?

Moderated by Mr Richard Martin, Executive Director, International Market Assessment, Asia
Speaker 1 Mr Bob McMullan, Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance (5-7 mins)
Speaker 2 Mr Muhammad Lutfi, Indonesian Investment Coordinating Board (5-7 mins)
Speaker 3 Mr Ian Buchanan, Booze & Co (5-7 mins)
Speaker 4 Mr Fauzi Ichsan, Standard Chartered Bank (5-7 mins)
Followed by Q&A/Group discussion
Venue: James Cook Ballroom, Intercontinental Hotel, Sydney
1545 – 160 Afternoon Tea
Venue: James Cook Ballroom foyer
1600 – 1800
Session 3: Environment
Challenges and opportunities to work together
Both countries are demonstrating through leadership on joint initiatives like the forest carbon partnership their commitment to addressing the global challenge of climate change. Community and business groups are integral to finding solutions.
• What are the major environmental challenges Australia and Indonesia face? What can we learn from each others’ successes and failures in managing these?
• Which areas would benefit from greater exchanges of knowledge and collaboration?
• What can both countries do to strengthen global commitment to addressing the challenge of climate change?
• What opportunities can we identify for both private and public-sector collaboration?

Moderated by Mr Alan Dupont, University of Sydney
Speaker 1 Senator Penny Wong, Minister for Climate Change and Water (5-7 mins)
Speaker 2 H. E. Mr Rachmat Witoelar, State Minister for the Environment (5-7 mins)
Speaker 3 Mr Mas Achmad Santosa, Indonesian Centre for Environmental Law (5-7 mins)
Speaker 4 Mr Oliver Yates, Macquarie Capital (5-7 mins)
Followed by Q&A/Group discussion
Venue: James Cook Ballroom, Intercontinental Hotel, Sydney
1830-2000 Reception for Conference Participants, hosted by H.E. Prof Marie Bashir AC, Governor of New South Wales
Venue: New South Wales Government House
Day 2 Saturday 21 February 2009
0900 – 1030 Session 4: People and perceptions
Strengthening the social fabric
People-to-people links are central to the vitality and strength of bilateral ties, particularly at times of political level tensions. But are outdated community perceptions in both countries hindering efforts to expand personal links, particularly among young Australians and Indonesians?
• Which sectors are proving most conducive to promoting mutual understanding between Indonesia and Australia?
• Can we identify new sectors – and fresh approaches – to facilitate people-to-people links?
• How do we address outdated perceptions of each other?
• How can we facilitate greater interaction between Indonesians and Australians in key areas, including new and under-explored areas?
• How can we provide future generations opportunities to understand better their neighbouring country?
• How can we encourage more informed media coverage of our respective countries?
• Can we identify new areas that would benefit from, and help facilitate, two-way education initiatives?

Moderated by Prof Dr Tim Lindsey, AII and Melbourne University
Speaker 1 Mr Paul Kelly, The Australian (5-7 mins)
Speaker 2 Ms Desi Anwar, Metro TV (5-7 mins)
Speaker 3 Mr Nik Feith Tan, Melbourne University (5-7 mins)
Speaker 4 Mr Bambang Harymurti, Tempo Weekly (5-7 mins)
Followed by Q&A/Group discussion
Venue: James Cook Ballroom, Intercontinental Hotel, Sydney
1030 – 1100 Morning Tea
Venue: James Cook Ballroom foyer
1100 – 1230 Session 5: Closing wrap-up session
Where to from here?
Overview of discussions from each session, focused on the state of bilateral ties in key areas and where we can strengthen two-way links to our mutual advantage.

Moderated by Allan Gyngell, Lowy Institute
Speaker 1 Mr Ric Smith, Lowy Institute (5-7 mins)
Speaker 2 Ms Yuli Ismartono, Tempo Weekly (5-7 mins)
Speaker 3 Dr Greg Fealy, ANU (5-7 mins)
Speaker 4 Dr Adnan Buyung Nasution, President Yudhoyono’s Supreme Advisory Council (5-7 mins)
Followed by Q&A/Group discussion
Venue: James Cook Ballroom, Intercontinental Hotel, Sydney
1230 – 1300 Media opportunities
Involving Australian and Indonesian conference delegates
Venue: Intercontinental Hotel


Question 6
Output 1.1.2
Topic: Burma—UNSG’s special envoy
Hansard p. 27
Senator Forshaw asked:
A. How many trips has Mr Gambari made to Burma as Special Envoy?
Answer
The Government is aware of seven visits that Mr Gambari has made to Burma since he was appointed Special Envoy in 2006. These visits occurred in:
• May 2006
• November 2006
• September—October 2007
• November 2007
• March 2008
• August 2008
• January—February 2009.

Question 7
Output 1.1.2
Topic: Indonesia—West Papua asylum seekers
Question in writing
Senator Bob Brown asked:
In mid November 2008, the Indonesian Embassy advised Australian authorities that two Indonesians from West Papua, Yunus and Anike Wainggai, who arrived in Australia in January 2006 seeking asylum had sought the Indonesian Embassy's help to return to Indonesia.

A. Did the Minister have any communication with the Indonesian Ambassador about the Wainggais' repatriation? If so, what was the nature of this communication?
B. Did the Department of Foreign Affairs or the Minister's office undertake any investigation into the Indonesian repatriation of these two refugees? If so, what were the findings? If not, which Australian authorities did investigate the appropriateness of the repatriation other than the Australian Federal Police?
C. What assistance did Australia give to Indonesia in the repatriation of the Wainggais?
D. Would the Minister for Foreign Affairs normally become involved in the case of voluntary repatriations? If not, and if he became involved in this case, why?
E. The Minister has been reported as saying he told the Indonesian authorities of the importance of transparency in this case. Does he or the Department of Foreign Affairs think the Wainggais' repatriation was transparent? What investigations or evidence are they relying on to determine whether the repatriation was transparent?
F. Is Australia confident that the Wainggais' repatriation involved no coercion or misrepresentations by Indonesian authorities?
G. If the Wainggais' repatriation was voluntary, and without retribution from Indonesian authorities, how does the Minister explain Yunus Wainggai's uncharacteristic lack of contact with family members and friends over the past three months?
H. Were the Wainggais repatriated under the 1951 Refugees Convention or the 1996 Lombok Treaty? Which treaty has precedence?
I. Has Indonesia approached Australia about repatriation of any of the other 41 refugees from West Papua who arrived in Australia in January 2006?
J. Have Australian authorities in Indonesia or West Papua received information about the Wainggais' current situation? If so, what is it?

Answer
A. Yes. The Minister met with Indonesian Ambassador Thayeb on 25 November 2008 to emphasise the importance of transparency in the voluntary return of the Wainggais.

B. No.

C. The Government registered the temporary travel documents supplied by the Indonesian Embassy to the Wainggais with border agencies to facilitate their voluntary departure.

D. Only in exceptional circumstances of very high-profile voluntary return, such as that of the Wainggais.

E. The Department is satisfied that the Wainggais’ return was transparent. Statements made by Mr Wainggai consistently indicated his desire to return.

F. The Department has no evidence to suggest there was any coercion or misrepresentation in the return of the Wainggais.

G. Neither the Minister nor the Department is in a position to speculate on Mr Wainggai’s contact with his family and friends.

H. Neither. The Wainggais returned voluntarily to Indonesia.

I. Yes. Two other members of the group of 43 Indonesians from the Papua provinces who arrived unauthorised in Australia in early 2006 and were subsequently granted protection returned voluntarily to Indonesia in September 2008.

J. No.

Question 8
Output 1.1.3
Topic: US request re Guantanamo Bay detainees
Question on notice
Hansard pp. 23 & 24
Senator Coonan asked:
A. What was DFAT’s role in consultations within the Government in preparing Australia’s response to the US request? What was DFAT advising about?
B. What factual information was DFAT asked about?
C. On what date was DFAT consulted in relation to the second request?
D. Who was involved from DFAT in providing advice in relation to this matter?
Answer
A. DFAT’s role was to advise on the foreign policy aspects of the US request.
B. As for (A) above.
C. DFAT was consulted regarding the second request during November and December 2008.
D. A number of divisions contributed to DFAT’s advice in relation to this matter.


Question 9
Output 1.1.5
Topic: Africa—Western Sahara and human rights
Question in writing
Senator Hanson-Young asked:
A. Is the Government aware of Human Rights Watch Report of 19 December 2008 in which it recommended to the UN Security Council to expand the mandate of MINURSO (UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara) to include human rights monitoring and reporting, will the Government support such a recommendation?

B. Human Rights Watch also recommended to the Government of Morocco to “bring charges against public agents implicated in acts of torture, including those who give instructions to torture or those in position of authority who should have known about the torture and failed to take action to prevent it or punish those responsible”. Has the Government raised issues of human rights abuses in Western Sahara with Moroccan officials recently?

C. On 16 October 2008, the Special Minister of State and Cabinet Secretary (Senator Faulkner) said during a Speech in the Senate that “We are in active consultation with other countries concerning human rights in Western Sahara.” Could the Government provide further information on such consultations or provide details of the consultations?

D. Since Australia is seeking the membership of the Security Council shouldn’t we be playing a positive and active role on the issue of Western Sahara as this is an issue on the agenda of the UN Security Council? Shouldn’t Australia contribute to a speedy, just and lasting resolution to the conflict in Western Sahara in accordance with international legality given the role we played in the similar case of East Timor? What has the government done so far?

Answer
A. The Government is aware of the Human Rights Watch report of 19 December. Australia is not a member of the United Nations Security Council and therefore is not involved in decision-making on the mandate of MINURSO. If the Security Council agreed to expand the mandate of MINURSO to include human rights monitoring and reporting, the Government would support that decision.

B. The Government condemns all forms of torture and ratified the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment in 1989. Australia co-sponsored a resolution against torture in the Sixty Third Session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2008. The Government has been consulting with a number of countries about the human rights situation in Western Sahara. The Government is considering our approach to human rights issues in light of these consultations.

C. Consistent with usual diplomatic practice, the details of the Government’s consultations with other governments are not public.

D. The Government will continue its strong support for the efforts of the United Nations, and of the relevant parties – the Government of Morocco, and the Polisario Front – to find an enduring settlement in relation to Western Sahara. The Government fully supports relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs). Consistent with UNSCR 1813 of 30 April 2008, the Government encourages the parties to continue negotiations without preconditions to achieve a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution which will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara.

Question 10
Output 1.1.9
Topic: Durban Conference working group—Australian representation
Hansard p. 64
Senator Ryan asked:
A. Was an Australian representative present at the Durban II Working Group meeting on 18 February 2009 at which discussions relating to a paragraph in the report, suggested by the European Union, was in dispute by Iran?
B. If so, did the Australian representative make a comment in relation to this issue?

Answer
A. Yes.

B. No.

On 18 February, the European Union (EU) sought to move a paragraph dealing with Holocaust remembrance from section 1 “Review of progress and assessment of implementation of the DDPA” of the compilation text to section 5 “Identification of further concrete measures and initiatives”.

Apart from the EU, only Iran spoke. Iran reserved its position regarding the placement of the paragraph but did not comment on the substance. The substance of the paragraph was not debated.