SYDNEY—The wives of Kevin Rudd and Malcolm Turnbull have united for the cause of democracy, throwing their support behind Burma's detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
The women stood side by side on the steps of the Sydney Opera House on Tuesday at a "freedom stand" organised by Labor MP for Page, Janelle Saffin.
The prime minister's wife, Therese Rein, told the gathering of about 500 people that Ms Suu Kyi had demonstrated enormous strength in the face of extreme adversity.
"We have gathered here to show our support and admiration for a truly courageous woman," Ms Rein said.
"And for the struggle of the people who deserve the right to determine their own future and choose their own leaders."
Lucy Turnbull, former Lord Mayor of Sydney and wife of Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull, said such a gathering would be impossible in Burma.
"The Sydney Opera House is a place that strongly reminds us and all Australians that we are a democracy and we are a free nation.
"In Burma, a gathering like this would be unimaginable."
Ms Saffin, who met Ms Suu Kyi when she visited Burma in the late 1990s, said she organised the event in response to Ms Suu Kyi's call to "use your liberty to promote ours".
"Our message to Suu Kyi and the Burmese is simple," she said.
"We stand behind you, beside you, in front of you and in times of trouble we will keep you in our hearts and minds."
Australian Burmese woman Nyein Aye Kyi called on the Australian government to condemn the military dictatorship in Burma.
"We urge the Australian government to put pressure on the military government along with the international community to release our political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi."
Ms Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace laureate, has been kept under house arrest by the military junta for most of the past two decades after her National League for Democracy swept elections in 1990 but was barred from taking power.
