Diplomatic furore over West Papua
The diplomatic stalemate between Australia and Indonesia continues today, following the recall of the Indonesian ambassador back to Jakarta, over moves to grant 42 West Papuans asylum here. In a major win for advocates of West Papuan independence, the Government granted temporary protection visas to the majority of a group of West Papuans. Observers have stated that the recall of the Indonesian ambassador represents the biggest diplomatic breach between the two countries since Australia led forces into East Timor in 1999. But supporters of the asylum seekers believe the story of West Papua’s province’s struggle for independence is not so different from the better-known conflict in East Timor. Greens Senator Kerry Nettle gave her response.