MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Sullivan
The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Kathy Sullivan MP, today congratulated the Central Victorian community for its contribution to the Australia Government's official overseas aid program.
In a speech at a community and business forum in Ballarat today, Mrs Sullivan said Australians can take pride in the positive contribution the overseas aid program is making to improving the lives of our neighbours.
'The purpose of these forums is to let people in the region know that their aid program really works and how local businesses can get involved,' Mrs Sullivan said.
During the forum at The Craigs Royal Hotel, Mrs Sullivan discussed the priorities of the aid program, which is managed by AusAID - the Australian Agency for International Development.
'Poverty reduction and sustainable development are at the heart of our overseas aid efforts. But giving aid is about more than good intentions and our moral obligation to help the disadvantaged.
'Aid is also about advancing our national interest. Improving the quality of life of people in our region also means improving the prospects for regional stability, trade, investment and creating jobs,' Mrs Sullivan said.
'Victorian business plays an important role in the overseas aid program. In the 1998-99 financial year, Victorian businesses managed AusAID contracts worth over $547.1 million. In particular, four businesses and institutions in the immediate Ballarat area presently manage contracts totalling about $360,000.
'The Victorian education sector also plays a significant role in the overseas aid program.
More than 800 AusAID-sponsored overseas students are studying at State tertiary education institutions this year, six of them enrolled at the University of Ballarat,' Mrs Sullivan said.
Media contacts:
Judi Nixon (Mrs Sullivan's office) 07 5591 1011 / 0411 287 258
Kirsten Hawke (AusAID) 02 6206 4971 / 0417 90 3429