In Focus
2008-2009 Commonwealth Budget
The 2008-09 Commonwealth Budget was released on May 13, 2008.
The Government has funded a range of new measures in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade portfolio in the areas of international affairs, development assistance and trade.
Australian Humanitarian Aid
Delivered to Burma
A Royal Australian Air Force C-17 Globemaster aircraft has delivered humanitarian supplies to Burma to assist in recovery efforts following Cyclone Nargis.
Operation Nargis Assist was launched after the Burmese authorities accepted an Australian Government offer of emergency relief supplies. The supplies comprise 31 tonnes of water containers and purification tablets, bedding, blankets, tarpaulins and medical supplies.
The supplies will be distributed to the victims of the cyclone through the Burmese Ministry for Social Welfare.
Australia has contributed $A25 million in humanitarian assistance to the people of Burma.
Australian Government Urges Countries to Bring the Ban on Nuclear Testing into Force
The Australian Government has renewed calls for universal adherence to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). The Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Stephen Smith, discussed how to promote these objectives in a meeting with Tibor Tóth, the Executive Secretary of the Preparatory Commission for the CTBT Organization.
The Australian Government strongly supports efforts to bring the CTBT into force and to see the completion of its verification system.