I believe in the dignity and worth of each individual.

I believe in the rights and freedoms of all people to self-determination. This means the determining by a people of the form their government shall have without reference to wishes of any other people. The Charter of the United Nations calls for "respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of all peoples."

These are fundamental Liberal policies, and fundamental rights of each person. Hence, I oppose oppression and injustice in all its forms.

Some of my points below were published in a letter to the editor in the Newcastle Herald, 3rd February, 1999 and are also in an online article.

Tibet

Chinese forces invaded and occupied independent Tibet in 1949-1950. Over one million Tibetans were killed during this period. The Dalai Lama, spiritual and political leader of his people, escaped into exile in India in 1959, after ten years of ceaseless but unsuccessful efforts to have the Chinese regime recognise the rights of the Tibetan people to live with freedom and dignity. The Dalai Lama was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize in 1989.

The Dalai Lama visited Australia in September, 1996. Despite considerable pressure from the Chinese government, including threats of economic reprisals, Prime Minister John Howard held a 40 minute meeting with the Dalai Lama at his Sydney office. The Dalai Lama also met with Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer.

The leader of the Opposition, Kim Beazley, also met with the Dalai Lama during his visit. However, we wish to note that Kim Beazley has acted inconsistently in this regard, because he was very critical of, and opposed to, Prime Minister Howard's intentions to welcome and meet the Dalai Lama, with the Chinese threats in mind.

I believe that although Kim Beazley's criticisms may sound to be mindful of Australian trade and employment, it really demonstrates that the Australian Labor Party is sympathetic to communist regimes, and that the Australian Labor Party is very willing to turn a "blind eye" to human suffering and oppression - in practical terms, Beazley demonstrated that the ALP does not believe all people have a right to self-determination.

I commend Prime Minister Howard's bold stand for peace, freedom and dignity.

East Timor

The Labor Government during Hawke and Keating negotiated, signed (in 1989) and implemented the Timor Gap Treaty. At an International Court of Justice case concerning East Timor in 1995, Keating's Government attempted to argue that was not inconsistent with recognising the right of the people of East Timor to self-determination. Yet, the Labor Government recognised Indonesian sovereignty over East Timor - the only United Nations member nation to do so.

In 1998, the Liberal Howard Government broke a 23-year ban on contact with the East Timorese resistance when Australia's ambassador in Indonesia, Mr John McCarthy, met with the gaoled resistance leader Xanana Gusmão.

In its Foreign Affairs and Trade policy, released during the 1998 election campaign, the Howard Government said it attaches importance to a resolution of the problems of East Timor. It supports a reduction in the armed forces presence and greater autonomy for the people of East Timor and will continue to support all parties maintaining a dialogue leading to a resolution of this problem.

Again, I commend Prime Minister Howard's support for self-determination.