Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I join other Senators in welcoming the release of Ms Ingrid Betancourt. This is a topical global issue and who knows what minor incremental influence we might have had somewhere along the way, but the fact that nations cared and offered a view on her detention is very important.

We are in an age when we are able to watch, when CNN decides to broadcast it, rockets going down streets in Baghdad before they turn into whatever house is their intended target that day. We have watched wars and people being killed on our screens. Despite this, 24 hours after the release of Ms Betancourt we still do not know if she was rescued, if her release was negotiated or how she happened to be freed.