NSW Upper House passes motion in support of Burmese people

The motion was moved by the Greens NSW MP John Kaye who is also the
President of the Australian Coalition for Democracy in Burma. It was
passed unanimously by the Legislative Council.
 
Dr Kaye said: "Cyclone Nargis has had a appalling impact on the people
of Irrawaddy Delta. It appears that up to 100,000 people have been
killed and many more are homeless, without access to clean water or
food.
 
"The Burmese regime has yet again failed its people. Instead of opening
up to international offers of help, it has frustrated access and covered
its tracks by expelling foreign journalists.
 
“The Burmese people have suffered under 46 years of brutal and
incompetent military dictatorship. The tragedy of Cyclone Nargis has
been made much worse by the failure of the regime to prepare the region
for these events.
 
“The Upper House also called on the Burmese regime to suspend the
voting on the referendum to introduce a new constitution planned for
this weekend," Dr Kaye said.
 
For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455
 

Motion passed by the NSW Legislative Council Thursday 8 May 2008
 
Dr Kaye moved
 
1. That this House expresses its deepest sympathy to the people of
Burma who have suffered massive devastation caused by Cyclone Nargis and
the ensuing tidal surges.
 
2. That this House calls on the Burmese regime:
 
(a) to lift restrictions that are frustrating access to the affected
areas by international aid agencies, and
 
(b) postpone voting on the constitutional referendum throughout the
country in order to concentrate on delivering assistance to those
affected by Cyclone Nargis.