Hon Judi Moylan

PRIVATE MEMBERS MOTION: ZIMBABWE

Having spoken to a similar motion put to this Parliament by the Member for Cook in November 2005, it grieves me to think that as dire as the situation was then, it has deteriorated markedly since. The only consolation is that since this motion by the Member for Throsby was selected for debate today, the fourth point regarding the safety of Sekai Holland has thankfully progressed and Mrs Holland has been successfully transported to South Africa and is now receiving treatment for the horrific injuries she sustained at the hands of the Mugabe Government thugs. I wish Mrs Holland and her colleagues a speedy return to full health. This motion also condemns the vicious beating of Nelson Chamisa MP in recent days. Many Australians have watched in disbelief at the reports of incarceration, horrendous bashings and torture for those who have dared to exert their democratic rights by forming and participating in an opposition party. The courage and determination of those few brave souls, led by Morgan Tsvangirai, who have continued to pursue democratic, accountable government, is an inspiration. We are all relieved at South Africa’s willingness to assist Mrs. Holland and her colleague. Both our Prime Minister and the Minister for Foreign Affairs have actively called on the United Nations Security Council and the Human Rights Council to consider the situation in Zimbabwe. Further, representations have been made to key members of the African Union and Southern African Development Community to use their influence to persuade the Zimbabwean Government to respect the rule of law and the political rights of its people. This is not the first time the Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs have condemned the actions of the Zimbabwe Government and called for international action. In 2005 the Australian Government referred the actions of the Mugabe Regime to the International Court, but received little support. This unwillingness to act is very hard to fathom for a country that now has the world’s lowest life expectancy, the highest inflation and one and a half million AIDS orphaned children. AIDS kills an estimated 3500 people a week. It is a human rights tragedy of monumental proportions. I would also like to acknowledge the work of Australian diplomats in the region who have been assisting Mrs. Holland and her colleagues, particularly the Australian consul Mark Lynch. It is difficult to conceive that one of the model countries that makes-up the great continent of Africa can have fallen so far. This is a country that made a smooth transition from colonial rule to majority black rule, strongly supported by Australia. It had a strong economy a model health system and not only did it grow enough food crops for its own consumption, but also successfully exported. Over the past ten years Mugabe in seeking power for power’s sake has brought his people to their knees. Inflation runs at 1750 per cent and gross domestic product has dropped to $5 billion Australian, almost half of what it was seven years ago. Ignoring the rule of law and legitimate democratic processes, this despot has driven white farmers from their land, ruling now through brutality and fear. These misbegotten policies have seriously eroded food production and employment opportunities. Some 3 million people are said to have left Zimbabwe leaving essential services disastrously depleted and for those remaining, unemployment is a serious threat to personal financial viability, running at about sixty per cent. If the international community has any genuine concern for the people of Zimbabwe it will urgently join the Australian Government’s call for United Nations action to bring the leaders of Zimbabwe to account for the terrible human suffering it has caused through grossly negligent and incompetent management of a once great nation. I thank the Member for Throsby for bringing forward this motion and the opportunity to speak up for the people of Zimbabwe