Condemnation for Fed Govt over Burma

Academics and political activists denounced the Federal Government’s $100 million bid to save Burma last week.

Held last Tuesday at the Sydney Trades Hall, the public conference urged the Australian government to rethink its investment in the troubled nation.

It was argued that any foreign investment would inevitably fall into the hands of the Burmese military, with Seng Maw from the Kachin Association Australia of the belief investment will further assist conflict.

“Burma’s political strategies are underway using violence and force. Under the Burmese reform, the military are getting away with forced brutality. International communities should not invest,” she said.

The current foreign investment scheme allows international companies to utilise Burmese farming land. U Shwe Thein from the Land Core Group said land ownership was Burma’s greatest cultural resource, and argued the investment scheme had left hundreds of Burmese people dispossessed.

“Over two-thirds of the population rely on land. Foreign investment is creating plantations that are not for the people of our country. If I lose my land, I lose my family and I lose my livelihood,” he said.

Associate Professor of Economics, Sean Turnell, said the sketchy relationship between the Burmese Government and military makes Australia’s investment look unwise. The results of last weeks budget revealed a $600 million target for military hardware.

“Our investment has been ambiguously used … In a sense, the rubber is yet to hit the road on some issues,” said Mr Turnell. “Foreign investment can make a nation, and it can also help destroy a nation. It requires great responsibility for Burma.”

The panel agreed the Australian Government should instead be channeling its efforts into human rights work. Ms Maw said the military offensive in Burma had escalated, and urgent work is needed to be done to establish proper government policy.

“It is very important at this political juncture that the international community push towards democratically ratifying peace laws into practice, and into the constitution. As of now, we don’t have any collective ethnic rights, or any political rights,” she said.

By Steph Nash