Senator BOB CARR (New South Wales—Minister for Foreign Affairs) (14:30): I am astonished by that question. As if anyone in this Senate would hold that view. We deplore the circumstances that would force people to give rise to this extreme, to this tragic, form of protest. The Dalai Lama, with whom I have met twice, is a significant religious leader for Tibetan Buddhists. Any suggestion, however, of independence for Tibet conflicts with the position taken by every Australian government since December 1972 when Australia recognised China's sovereignty over Tibet with the establishment of diplomatic relations. In statements— Senator Bob Brown: Mr President, I rise on a point of order. The question from Senator Hanson-Young, repeated in the supplementary question, was: will the foreign minister take the opportunity next available to meet with His Holiness the Dalai Lama? The PRESIDENT: That is only part of the question. The minister is answering the question. The minister now has 19 seconds remaining. Senator BOB CARR: Having met His Holiness the Dalai Lama on two occasions, I will make a decision about future meetings when I consider them timely, appropriate and relevant. But let me make the point that when supporters of the Dalai Lama imply that Tibet's borders be stretched to take in parts of other provinces— (Time expired)