MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
I am pleased to announce that the Australian Government will provide $1
million towards the cost of a general election to be held in Cambodia in July
2003.
The contribution will help fund voter registration ahead of the election and
also support Cambodian non-government organisations (NGOs) that will monitor the
election process.
This assistance demonstrates Australia's continuing commitment to building an
effective framework for democratic governance in Cambodia. It follows on from
the support for Cambodia's first Commune election for 30 years, held in February
this year, and general support for electoral processes in Cambodia since 1992.
The assistance will strengthen universal franchise (voting rights) for
eligible voters and help safeguard against human rights abuses during the
election. The Royal Government of Cambodia will provide a significant proportion
of the cost of conducting the election.
Legislative changes to introduce continuous voter registration were recently
enacted by the Royal Cambodian Government and will apply for the July 2003
general election.
Australia is expected to provide a total of $38.5 million in development
assistance to Cambodia in 2002-03, including $24.5 million through the bilateral
country program, which is targeting agriculture, health, human resource
development and governance.
Media contacts:
Chris Kenny (Ministerial) 02 6277 7500 or 0419 206 890
Jo Elsom (AusAID) 02 6206 4960 or 0412 804 489