- Senator James Paterson, Acting Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs
The Coalition is gravely concerned at reports that Hong Kong police have issued arrest warrants and HK$1 million “bounties” for Australian citizen Kevin Yam and Australian resident Ted Hui.
This represents an unacceptable attempt to silence and intimidate critics of the Chinese government living in Australia, and further demonstrates the corrosive effects of the National Security Law to democratic principles and the rule of law in Hong Kong.
Australia must always defend the fundamental values of democracy including freedom of speech and assembly and can never tolerate attempts to undermine the safety and freedom of Australians.