Labor supports the Governments decision to recognise the President of the National Assembly, Juan Guaid, as interim president of Venezuela pending new elections and a swift transition to democracy.
Australias move follows similar declarations by the US, Britain, Germany, France and Venezuelas South American neighbours rejecting incumbent Nicols Maduro.
In the Senate last year Labor supported the joint statement on Venezuela issued in May at the G20 foreign ministers meeting that declared the Venezuelan elections to be illegitimate and confirmation of the breakdown of democratic institutions in Venezuela.
Labor urges all parties to work constructively towards a peaceful resolution of the Venezuelan political crisis, including a return to democracy, respect for the rule of law and upholding of human rights of the Venezuelan people.
Authorised by Noah Carroll, ALP, Canberra.
Venezuela
29 January 2019