MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
I am pleased to announce, on the first anniversary of the popular consultation
in East Timor, Australia will help design and construct a Parliament building
for the legislature of an independent East Timor.
The design of the new Parliament will reflect East Timor's cultural heritage
and will be determined in close consultation with East Timorese leaders.
Besides meeting the functional needs of a modern Parliament, East Timor's Parliament
building will be an important cultural and political symbol, expressing the
independent and democratic aspirations of the East Timorese people.
The new Parliament will also serve to express Australia's friendship with the
people of East Timor and Australia's commitment to assist East Timor become
one of the strong democratic nations of the region.
Support for the Parliament building forms part of Australia's program of support
for the development of democratic government and effective administration in
East Timor. This will include support for the establishment of East Timor's
new National Council which will represent a broad cross-section of the East
Timorese community under the current Transitional Administrative arrangements.
Australia will also provide support for the elections planned for the second
half of 2001. This will include support for the establishment of an Electoral
Commission, drafting of regulations, civic education, voter registration and
support for conducting the election.
This initiative is part of Australia's commitment of $150 million over the
next four years to help rebuild this new nation after the devastation of last
year. Australia's program provides support to important development activities
in education, health, water and rural development, as well as capacity building
to establish effective and accountable public administration.
Media Contacts:
James Baker (Ministerial) 02 6277 7500/0419 206 890
Fionna Douglas (AusAID) 02 6206 4960 / 0412 804 489
Greg Clough (AusAID East Timor) 0417 683 126