MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
McMullan
A $24 million four-year program is helping to create short-term employment opportunities and establish vocational education and training benefiting up to 70,000 young people.
Australia will also develop a youth employment policy that will assist the country's youth transition from school to work.
Speaking from East Timor, Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance, Bob McMullan, said greater social and economic stability were two of the expected benefits of the initiative.
'The unemployment rate among young urban males is currently 43 per cent. By enhancing education and skills training and supporting labour intensive employment programs we aim to get more young people into jobs and contribute to the long-term social and economic stability of East Timor', Mr McMullan said.
Mr McMullan also launched the implementation of Australia's five year $28 million justice program to build more effective, accountable justice institutions and improve access for the most vulnerable and marginalised groups.
The funds are being used to develop effective management and administration systems in key justice agencies. Activities include a juvenile justice initiative, improved support for victims of domestic violence, district justice initiatives and support to traditional systems for resolving disputes.
Australia is also providing $23 million over four years to help East Timor to implement its national health plan and improve basic health and hospital services across the country.
The project is a partnership with the World Bank and East Timor's Ministry of Health. Australia is also supporting an $850,000 study to identify barriers to health care services and inform appropriate policy responses.
The national health plan focuses on improving basic health and hospital services and aims to build capacity across the health sector to help East Timor achieve its Millennium Development Goals for health.
'These initiatives underscore Australia's continuing strong commitment to economic development, security and stability in East Timor', Mr McMullan said.
Media Contact: Sabina Curatolo (Mr McMullan's Office) 0400 318 205
AusAID Public Affairs 0417 680 590