Prime Minister John Howard should reverse the blunder of legislating for West Papuan refugees to be banned from Australian soil, Greens Leader Bob Brown said in Sydney today.
 
"There is no common ground between a Nauruan solution and processing refugees in Australia. That given, the PM should look at how to allay Indonesian anxiety that Australia will simply be a receptacle for West Papuans activists," Senator Brown said.
 

Greens Leader Bob Brown has called on the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Downer, to get Jakarta's assurance about the safety and wellbeing of West Papuan human rights worker Jonah Wenda, who was arrested yesterday.
 
Mr Wenda made a mobile phone plea to alert friends but his phone has now gone quiet. It is thought that he was arrested by Indonesian police near the Papua New Guinea border and taken to West Papuan capital, Jayapura.
 
Friends say he 'is sick and needs urgent medical attention'.
 

 Today's Newspoll showing that three quarters of Australians disagree with changes to our immigration laws should make the government change tack, Greens Leader Bob Brown said today.
 
"The widespread public opposition to these laws is because they are shaped to appease Jakarta and specifically aimed against West Papuans fleeing to Australia. The laws are racist and indecent," Senator Brown said.
 

Senator Brown calls for release of hostages

A revolt in West Papua (Irian Jaya) requires maximum diplomatic action by the Howard Government, Greens Senator Bob Brown told the Senate today.

"The 2 million West Papuans are organising a nation-wide voters revolt. None of the 10 parties in the upcoming Indonesians elections has a policy of Independence for West Papua," said Senator Brown.

"However West Papuan leaders are facing arrest for even raising the issue. At least forty-eight are already in prison and face torture.

Greens Senator Bob Brown has called on the Howard Government to end spending on equipment, training and joint exercises with Indonesian armed forces.

Senator Brown says figures released by the Minister for Defence (in response to a Question on Notice from Senator Brown) show Australian spending on "co-operation" with Indonesia"s armed forces has risen from $225 000 in 1989/90 to a record $6,446,000 in the current financial year.

Greens Senator Bob Brown condemned today"s ALP policy announcement on diplomacy, because it avoids making a commitment for a vote on independence in human rights hotspots Tibet, East Timor and West Papua.

Greens call on eve of talks in Jakarta

West Papua (Irian Jaya) is on the brink of all-out rebellion and a mounting toll of injury and death. Australia should urge restraint on the Indonesian military and back a plebiscite on independence for the colony, Greens Senator Bob Brown said today.

Australia"s Foreign Minister Alexander Downer will visit Indonesia this week.