Motions

Greste, Mr Peter

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier) (15:43): I move:

That this house—

(a) condemns the conviction and sentence given to the Australian journalist Peter Greste and his colleagues from the Al Jazeera network; and

(b) supports the commonwealth government in its diplomatic efforts to bring about a positive outcome for Mr Greste and his family.

I indicate that I will speak briefly about this matter and after my remarks I understand the matter is to be adjourned to give members the opportunity to speak on a further occasion. However, I thought it was timely that we add our voice to those who are seeking to support justice for Mr Peter Greste.

The ruling by an Egyptian court that Peter Greste and his Al Jazeera colleagues are guilty of spreading false news in supporting the Muslim brotherhood has been the subject of obviously very substantial criticism and, on the face of it, their arguments that they were denied natural justice appear to be cogent. That they could then be sentenced to terms of imprisonment of seven to 10 years really was a shock. This result is even more alarming, given claims by the Egyptian government that the country is on a transition to democracy.

I would like to offer my support for the efforts by the commonwealth government and I think it is appropriate that this house resolves also to provide that support. The international community is obviously outraged about this decision and, for the sake of the Greste family, Mr Greste himself, of course, his colleagues who have also been gaoled, the freedom of the international press and the evolution of Egypt as a country that seeks to become a modern democracy, we call upon Egypt to find a way of remedying this patent injustice which has been perpetrated on Mr Greste.

It is even more poignant when, for many of us, Mr Greste was a familiar face on our television screens. His reputation as being a first-class professional journalist is well accepted, and that only adds to the shock of those who have witnessed the events in Egypt. I commend the motion to the house.

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (15:46): I rise to speak on the motion and indicate that I will be supporting the Premier's motion, and I thank him for his contribution on this matter. I place on the record that I am the mother of Alex Hart, who is a Channel 7 journalist who has been three times to Egypt to cover this trial and who has obviously had the professional and personal responsibility there on behalf of his particular employer, but representing a myriad of journalists around the world to cover this trial.

The circumstances that have befallen Mr Greste and two others who are charged are to be roundly condemned, and it has been internationally. I place on the record a statement that my son Alex wrote in respect of this, and I make this point: I think that it behoves all of us to recognise the personal risk that journalists place themselves in to follow these matters, and in this particular case because it was the action of the government in Egypt and the judicial system—or lack thereof—which has culminated in this tragic outcome obviously for Peter Greste but also for the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary, the enforcement of equitable and fair application of the law, just as another demonstration of how disgracefully this has played out in Egypt.

If it turns out down the track that there has been some action, or failure to act on behalf of the new government in Egypt, that attracts further criticism then so be it. I do say, however, as a new government that has formed in Egypt, it is important that we give the foreign minister, the Hon. Julie Bishop, an opportunity to confer with her equivalents in Egypt, and for the Prime Minister to continue to confer with the new President of Egypt to try to bring this matter to a sensible, fair, humane and just outcome.

These were the words of Alex after three trips to Egypt. As a journalist, from my point of view, my advice, quite frankly, was: 'You've got the judgement now, get the hell out of there,' because it is a dangerous position to be placed in. He said:

I leave Egypt with a horrible taste in my mouth. Everyone angers me, even those who are being friendly…the woman at the hotel reception, the waiter serving me lunch, the driver silently chauffeuring me around.

I can't stand this country. I want to #boycottegypt as so many are encouraging on social media. Yet, here I sit with a beer in the airport departure lounge about to leave. I am lucky.

Across town in Tora Prison, Peter Greste sits in a tiny jail cell. He isn't going anywhere.

Twenty-four hours after being sentenced to seven years jail for doing his job, the incredibly harsh reality must be sinking in. His brothers, Andrew and Mike, would have just visited him. Imagine the embrace they shared…the emotion.

Andrew and Mike have alternated monthly being in Cairo to support their brother during this trial. Andrew only arrived a few hours before Monday's verdict. He wanted to be here to take his brother home. Neither of them expected the outcome that has shocked not just them, but the world.

I didn't know what to say to them outside the court. I was sorry. I put my arm around their shoulder, told them I was here if they needed anything. It was awful. Many of the journalists left the court in tears.

Having covered several hearings during this trial, I have often wondered what it would be like to be in Peter's shoes. As a journalist in these parts of the world, it is always a possibility. But in truth, I always thought he would get out…that it was only a matter of time before he was released on bail and acquitted. How wrong I was. How wrong we all were.

When I returned to my hotel room from the court on Monday, it hit me in the lift. The adrenalin of reporting the devastating events as they unfolded had worn off. I thought of my loved ones…my beautiful girlfriend, my incredible mother, my dear brother and his gorgeous girls. What would they be going through if it was me in that cell?

They'd be going through exactly what Peter's parents, brothers and the rest of his family are going through. Complete and utter devastation…their world turned upside down. Juris and Lois Greste, his parents, are not young. They do not deserve this in their lives. They are rightly proud of their son and his work. It is work that should be celebrated, not condemning him to seven years behind bars.

Now, Peter, his family, consular staff and the Australian Government are grappling with how to overcome this situation. An appeal is being discussed. The Prime Minister is preparing to lobby Egypt's new leader for a Presidential pardon. Both options seem like extreme long shots.

Why would a court system that convicted the journalist and his Al Jazeera colleagues without any incriminating evidence overturn its decision? Why would a new President grant clemency knowing it would make him look weak in the eyes of his people?

I can't help but feel pessimistic. A large part of me is resigned to the fact that this is the way it is…Peter Greste has been dealt a cruel injustice and will have to serve his time…there is nothing I can do.

But if I give up hope, who is next? Other journalists? The Government? Peter's family? Peter himself? None of us can afford to give up on Peter Greste. There is so much more than the next seven years of his life at stake.

I commend the motion and the support of the house for this motion.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. T.R. Kenyon.