List of recommendations

Recommendation 1

2.134The committee recommends that the Australian Government:

maintain its clear and principled objection to the continuing military rule of Myanmar and its rejection of the 2025–26 elections and attempts to use the 'sham' elections to build a cloak of respectability for the military regime; and

actively object to any attempts to legitimise the military regime, normalise military rule and the acceptance of Myanmar into diplomatic, parliamentary and regional or multilateral forums.

Recommendation 2

2.135The committee recommends that the Australian Government:

more regularly state its ongoing concern about the conflict in Myanmar and continue to draw attention to the sustained repression, violence, and human rights abuses perpetrated by the military regime;

recognise that continued conflict in Myanmar is now entering a new and more complex phase as it evolves from not just a humanitarian challenge to a strategic one, recognising the challenge now intersects with regional security, migration pressures and transnational crime networks; and

maintain its policy of avoiding direct engagement with the military regime.

Recommendation 3

2.138The committee recommends that the Australian Government work towards aligning its Myanmar-related sanctions with key allies such as the United States of America.

Recommendation 4

2.139The committee recommends that the Australian Government impose sanctions against Myanmar's Central Bank and other banks controlled by the military regime in Myanmar.

Recommendation 5

2.142The committee recommends that the Australian Government seek to disrupt and sanction the supply of jet fuel to the Myanmar junta and government.

Recommendation 6

2.145The committee recommends the Australian Government supplement its engagement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations by:

strengthening engagement through other regional mechanisms such as The Bali Process on People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons and Related Transnational Crime; and

exploring new additional Myanmar-specific regional initiatives with countries such as India.

Recommendation 7

2.152The committee recommends the Australian Government:

prioritise the finalisation and publication of initiatives contained in the announcement of the $370 million over three years to address the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar and support Rohingya refugees and host communities in Bangladesh, including establishing a Civil Society Pooled Fund;

bring forward of the proposed mid-cycle review of the Australia-Myanmar Development Partnership Plan 2024-2029 to reflect the rapidly increasing humanitarian needs arising in Myanmar and border communities in Thailand, India and Bangladesh;

prioritise the development of the publication of clear operational principles to guide non-avoidable engagement between development partners and entities associated with the military regime;

demonstrate how the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade due diligence framework is working to facilitate greater access, flexibility and use of locally led organisations in the delivery of Australia's humanitarian program in Myanmar.

Recommendation 8

2.153The committee reiterates the recommendations made in the committee's report into the Efficacy of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade due diligence framework. In particular, recommendation 1 of that report which urges greater flexibility in Australia’s delivery of aid, recognising that locally led organisations can often better deliver aid in conflict situations.

Recommendation 9

2.155The committee recommends the Australian Government increase resettlement opportunities and alternative visas for education, research and employment opportunities for Myanmar asylum seekers and refugees and expand the Myanmar Australia Awards program.

Recommendation 10

2.157The committee recommends that the Australian Government provide a quarterly statement to Parliament on its response to the ongoing conflict in Myanmar and include:

progress on the implementation of the Australia-Myanmar Development Partnership Plan 2024-2029;

progress of initiatives undertaken with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations;

the monitoring and compliance of Australia's sanctions regime; and

engagement with the Myanmar diaspora and National Unity Government.

Recommendation 11

2.159 The committee recommends the Australian Government formalise its engagement with Myanmar diaspora groups to access the extensive first-hand knowledge, experience and networks these groups can bring to sustaining Australia's response to the ongoing conflict in Myanmar.