Greenwash Political Action Party and Urban Grassroots Movement for the Green Party

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

Australians miles ahead of their major party politicians on West Papua

A Newspoll on West Papua released by businessman Ian Melrose shows that Australians are way ahead of their major party politicians when it comes to the issue of freedom and acting decently to our neighbours.

Almost 77% of Australians are in favour of self determination for West Papua – including the option of independence.

Here’s Ian Melrose’s media release.

Wednesday, 19 April 2006

Massive Australian support for West Papua

A new opinion poll shows over 75% of Australians support self determination for West Papua – including the option of independence.

The nationwide poll of 1,200 people conducted by Newspoll between 7-9 April, asked the following question:

And now a question about the Indonesian province of West Papua. Recently there has been some discussion in the Australian media about whether the people of West Papua should have the right to self determination, that is, the right to determine their own political future, including the option of independence. Are you personally in favour or against self determination for the people of West Papua?

77% were in favour of self determination and only 6% were against. The remaining 17% were undecided or didn’t know.

The poll was commissioned by Australian businessman Ian Melrose. Mr Melrose previously funded an advertising campaign in support of East Timor’s right to oil and gas revenue in the Timor Sea after the Howard Government withdrew East Timor’s right to have the dispute heard by an independent UN court.

Mr Melrose does not belong to any political party and never has.

“This is a massive level of support for the people of West Papua throughout the Australian community,” Mr Melrose said.

“I am delighted that Australians so overwhelmingly support the West Papuans. I expected nothing less.

“It is a shame that John Howard and Kim Beazley do not match the Australian peoples’ inherent decency when it comes to basic human rights and justice. I believe the poll sends a clear message to Prime Minister John Howard and Opposition Leader Kim Beazley.

“Siding with the Indonesian Government and the Indonesian military over the rights and aspirations of the West Papuan people is very unpopular across all sections of Australian society.

“I feel sure that if the 42 West Papuan refuges were sent back they would all be killed. The UN report released in January 2006 stated the Indonesian military were responsible for 183,000 East Timorese deaths during their 24 years occupation. The Indonesian actions in West Papua will be no different to their actions in East Timor,” Mr Melrose said.

Click here to see the full details of the poll

posted by Ben Oquist # 10:36 AM 6 comments