ALP candidate to meet Dalai Lama

Jane Emerick
Labor candidate for Corio Richard Marles will seek a meeting with the Dalai Lama in Geelong next month after party leader Kevin Rudd backflipped on plans to snub the exiled spiritual leader of Tibet.
But Liberal Member for Corangamite Stewart McArthur will miss a civic reception for the Lama in Geelong to attend “other commitments”.
City of Greater Geelong will host the reception when the Lama visits on June 11 during a tour of Australia.
China has frowned on countries welcoming the Lama after annexing Tibet in 1949.
Earlier this week Mr Rudd said he would not meet His Holiness but Mr Marles later revealed his boss was trying to find time for a meeting.
Mr Marles said meeting the Dalai Lama was essential for a “mature relationship” with China.
Mr Marles said he did not get an invitation to the civic reception but planned to attend.
“I would feel privileged to meet the Dalai Lama,” he said.
“China is a critical country to Australia’s future but I think a mature relationship means not kowtowing to China on an issue over somebody who deserves to be met.
“He is very significant in terms of Tibet.”
A spokesman confirmed Mr McArthur would not attend the City’s welcoming lunch.
“He has other commitments that day,” the spokesperson said.
“We are not able to say what those commitments are.”
The spokesperson denied politics was behind Mr McArthur’s decision to avoid the lunch.
The Dalai Lama’s 2002 trip to Geelong included a civic reception despite threats of economic sanctions from the Chinese Government.
Last year former mayor Barbara Abley told the Independent the Chinese Government threatened her in writing ahead of the Lama’s 2002 visit.
The Chinese warned an official welcome for the spiritual leader of Tibet would “destabilise trade agreements”.
Last year councillors and Tibetan leaders criticised thenmayor Peter McMullin for trying to avoid organising the official welcome.
A spokesperson said the City would provide Geelong’s Arena free of charge for a public address from the Lama as well as the 250guest VIP luncheon.