Top Australian Leaders Meet His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Parliament House

Australian opposition leader Tony Abbott, right, with His Holiness the Dalai Lama during their meeting at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, Tuesday, 14 June 2011

DHARAMSHALA: His Holiness the Dalai Lama today visited the Parliament House in Canberra and he was accorded warm welcome by  some of the top leaders, which include Opposition Leader Tony Abbott.

His Holiness also met Nationals leader Warren Truss, Greens leader Bob Brown and School Education Minister Peter Garrett.

Australian Prime minister Julia Gillard did not met His Holiness during the visit. 

Speaking to reporters at the Parliament House, His Holiness the Dalai Lama said the "goals of his visit were to promote values and religious harmony".

"If your Prime Minister has some kind of spiritual interest, then of course my meeting would be useful," he said.

Later in the afternoon, His Holiness will give a public talk on 'A Conversation with His Holiness the Dalai Lama on Happiness, Life & Living - Love and Forgiveness' at the Royal Theater National Convention Center.

During the Canberra visit, the Parliamentary Friends of Tibet group is also hosting a reception for His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The multiparty event has received RSVPs from 80 MPs.

Labor MP Michael Danby, convener of the Friends group, said he was disappointed that Mr Rudd at least could not meet the Dalai Lama personally because as prime minister he had spoken movingly about the plight of Tibetans under Chinese rule.

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