2006 Media Releases
Monday, 1 May 2006
La Trobe Politics Society Forum: Australia, Indonesia and the Crisis in West Papua
Issues surrounding the West Papuan independence movement and the roles of Australia and Indonesia, will be examined at a La Trobe University Politics Society forum on Monday 8 May at 5.30pm.
The forum is being held in the wake of the diplomatic fallout between Australia and Indonesia prompted by the arrival in January of 43 West Papuans seeking asylum in Australia.
Speakers will be Dr Richard Chauvel, an expert on Indonesia who has studied Papuan politics for many years, and Mr Herman Wainggai, a long time independence activist in West Papua, one of the 42 Papuans recently granted asylum.
Victoria Stead, Convenor of the La Trobe Politics Society, said the decision to grant political asylum to 42 of the West Papuans was welcomed by many in Australia, and condemned from the highest levels of the Indonesian government.
‘The issue has revealed deep and continuing rifts in the Australia-Indonesia relationship – a relationship that has been tested and strengthened over issues such as East Timor and the Boxing Day tsunami.’
She said the question of West Papuan independence aroused great feeling in the Australian and Indonesian community, with many drawing parallels with the East Timorese experience.
‘We hope this evening can contribute to a better understanding and clarity of the issues’.
The forum starts at 5.30 pm, 8 May, John Scott Meeting House on the University’s main Melbourne campus at Bundoora (Melway Reference (29th ed.) Map 573-G5) – use car park 7. Tea, coffee and light refreshments will be served. Admission is $5. La Trobe Politics Society members $3.
For further information:
Bookings are recommended: TEL: (03) 9479 2287, FAX: (03) 9479 1997, or Email: vcstead@students.latrobe.edu.au