The world is increasingly interconnected, yet our policy
horizons are shaped by a media focus which is predominantly both incestuous and
parochial.
Brazil is the fifth largest country in terms of population,
sitting behind Chine, India, USA, and Indonesia (link
here). Australia ranks 55. In
economic terms, it ranks eighth, behind the USA, China, Japan, Germany, UK, India
and France (link here).
Brazil’s new President, Jair Bolsonaro was sworn in on 1
January 2019 (link here), and was immediately praised by US President Trump (link
here).
There is increasing evidence however that the new Government
in Brazil is adopting a much more aggressive stance in favour of agricultural
and other interests and against Indigenous landowners (link
here). A recent article in The Intercept
provides a good summary of recent developments. I recommend readers have a look
(link
here).
Over 80 Australian companies have a presence in Brazil
including a quarter listed on the ASX 200. Given these strong trading and commercial
links between Australia and Brazil (link here),
and Australia’s support for the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous
Peoples (link
here), there is a strong case for the Australian Government to communicate its
concern in relation to these developments to both the Brazilian Government as
well as to the UN and its various forums for dealing with Indigenous rights. Key
Australian corporations with interests both in Australian Indigenous communities
and in Brazil and Latin America (such as BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto) should
also consider making their views known to the Brazilian Government.
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