Question No. 344

Senator Ludlam asked the Minister representing the Minister for Trade, upon notice, on 13 December 2010:
With reference to the Export Finance and Insurance Corporation (EFIC) and Burma: Has EFIC provided any services, assistance, funding or insurance to Australian companies investing or doing business in Burma; if so, can a detailed explanation be provided of those services.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS, DEFENCE AND TRADE LEGISLATION COMMITTEE
THURSDAY, 24 FEBRUARY 2011

CHAIR-We will go to South-East Asia.

Senator LUDLAM-Mr Borrowman, since we last spoke, there has been an election in Burma and a parliament has allegedly convened. Can you provide an update as to the state of the department's understanding of the situation in Burma at the moment?

Question No. 330

Senator Ludlam asked the Minister representing the Minister for Foreign Affairs, upon notice, on 6 December 2010:
Has Austrade provided any services, assistance or grants to Australian companies investing, or doing business, in Burma; if so, can a detailed explanation be provided of those services.

Senator Conroy - the following answer has been provided by the Minister for Trade to the honourable Senator's question:

Answer

Senator Ludlam asked

ACIAR was asked to provide more information relating to ACIAR project work in Burma

Answer

Background

Greens Leader Bob Brown said today his aim is to give Australia progressive and prosperous governance in 2011, beginning with work towards a Gillard government carbon price to tackle global warming, stimulate the economy and generate new business opportunities.

"Amid more extreme weather events, which are occurring more frequently, the new year gives Australians a chance to think beyond ‘sides' and embrace effective, innovative and green ways of building a future for the developed economy that is most at risk from global warming," Senator Brown said.

Senator Ludlam - This is a foreign policy motion where I do not believe we will be hearing either from the government side or from the opposition side that we do not debate complex foreign policy matters during discovery of formal business. I thank the Foreign Minister and his staff for the way in which they engaged with this issue and also the shadow foreign minister's office as well.

The Australian Greens have welcomed unanimous Senate support for a motion strongly supporting the movement for democracy in Burma.

Senator Scott Ludlam moved a motion welcoming the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest and congratulating the Burmese pro-democracy movement on their steadfast resistance to the military dictatorship.

The motion called on the Australian Government to investigate all options for supporting a UN inquiry into human rights abuses and war crimes, and maintain efforts to enforce a universal arms embargo against Burma.

Senator LUDLAM (Western Australia) [5:22 PM] -I move: That the Senate-

(a) welcomes the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest on behalf of the Australian people;

(b) congratulates the Burmese pro-democracy movement for its steadfast resistance to military rule and ongoing campaign for democracy;

(c) calls for the immediate and unconditional release of more than 2 000 political prisoners still detained in Burma;

(Question No. 147)
Senator Ludlam asked the Minister representing the Minister for Trade, upon notice, on 28 September 2010:

With reference to the Government's policy of neither encouraging nor discouraging trade or investment in Burma:

(1) Does the Austrade office in Bangkok and the Australian Embassy in Rangoon provide advice to Australian companies enquiring about the operating environment in Burma for business.