Dear Mr Kelly,
Dear Mr Kelly,
I have posted a letter to Mr Stephen Smith (copy attached) which has been signed by 52 local residents and members of the Monaro Christian Forum, requesting information on the response of the Federal Government to the ongoing Human Rights abuses in West Papua. A proportion of local Christians changed their traditional voting from Coalition to Labor largely in response to what they saw as a weak and selfish response by the Howard Government to the Papua situation. This letter is not a full-scale petition, but a request for evidence that the actions of the Labor party are showing more effect in protecting the lives and welfare of our West Papuan friends.
As a result of our past discussions I am convinced that you are both aware and sincere in your approach to West Papua, and I ask that you take the opportunity to encourage Mr. Smith to take this letter seriously and provide our local community with some solid material.
Thankyou very much for your time,
ENDS