CANBERRA: Kalon Tripa Dr Lobsang Sangay has arrived in Australia’s national capital, Canberra, for the second leg of his inaugural Australian visit.
Members of the local Tibetan Community greeted Kalon Tripa Dr Lobsang Sangay at the Canberra airport. Kalon Tripa’s first formal engagement was an address to the National Press Club. His hour-long address, including questions from members, was broadcast live on ABC, Australia’s national public broadcaster.

You can watch the full program here. (CLICK HERE)

In the afternoon, Kalon Tripa headed to Parliament House for the first of several engagements with Australian lawmakers. Kalon Tripa met first with Michael Danby MP, Chair of the Australian All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet, for a detailed discussion on strategies for increasing parliamentary support for Tibet from Australia.

In the late afternoon, Kalon Tripa briefed the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, the most important parliamentary committee examining international issues. Eighteen parliamentarians, representing both house and all major parties, and including several senior members of the Government, attended the hour-long hearing. Kalon Tripa apprised the committee on the current situation in Tibet and discussed a wide range of issues including the democratic transition of the Tibetan administration in exile and its significance, the Middle Way policy and Australia-China relations.

Kalon Tripa ended the day by meeting with the Board of Directors of the Tibet Information Office over dinner.

Kalon Tripa’s visit continues tomorrow with a full day of appointments in Parliament House.