The Tasmanian Greens today welcomed unanimous support for their motion calling for action from the Foreign Minister Julie Bishop in response to the arrest of Tasmanian Greenpeace activist, Colin Russell.
Greens Leader Nick McKim MP said the Greens had agreed to support Labor’s proposed amendments to the motion in order to ensure it would pass.
“The Greens would have preferred a more strongly worded motion, and we felt a better outcome would have been for the Speaker to write directly to Russian President Vladimir Putin, advocating for Mr Russell’s release,” Mr McKim said.
“However we are nonetheless satisfied with the outcome, which has seen the House of Assembly unanimously rally behind Mr Russell and urge stronger action to have him freed.”
“The Australian Government’s weak response to the detention of Colin Russell in Russia has been an international embarrassment and an utter disgrace.”
“The governments of France, Germany and the UK have all strongly advocated for their nations’ citizens who are caught up in this incident, but Australia has effectively abandoned Mr Russell.”
“It’s hard to escape the conclusion that if Mr Russell had been in Russia on business rather than to protest, then the reaction from the Australian government would have been much stronger.
“This vote sends a strong message to Foreign Minister Julie Bishop that Tasmanians are unhappy at her failure to defend Colin Russell, and that she needs to start stepping up the pressure for Mr Russell to be released.”
“The Greens support the actions of Mr Russell, and we believe the charges laid against him by the Russian authorities are ridiculous and unjustified.”
“Tasmanians expect the Federal Government to stand up for our citizens and for the right to peaceful protest.”
Download Final amended motion:
Colin_Russell_Release_Passed_Amended_Motion_Text_Nov2013_(2).pdf
Nick McKim MP Greens Leader
