MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Gallus
The Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mrs Chris Gallus, will
represent the Prime Minister this week on the tiny Pacific island nation of
Tuvalu at celebrations to mark 25years of independence. Mrs Gallus
will also visit Fiji to examine aid projects.
In Tuvalu, Mrs Gallus will attend celebrations in the capital Funafuti
tomorrow (1 October), meet with the Prime Minister of Tuvalu, and examine the
impact of Australian aid projects.
Australia is working closely with the Tuvalu Government to help increase the
country's skill base and improve management of resources, which includes the
establishment of the Tuvalu Trust Fund.
In Fiji Mrs Gallus will visit Australian aid programs, including a Save the
Children project and the Women's Crisis Centre, and give a talk about governance
in the Pacific at the University of the South Pacific.
Mrs Gallus said it was important for Australia to show support for countries
in the Pacific.
In Fiji, the Australian Government's aid program is providing an estimated
$20 million to improve health and education, law and justice.
Further information on Australian Government aid to Tuvalu and Fiji can be
obtained from the AusAID website: www.ausaid.gov.au
Media contacts:
Shane Fairlie (Office of Mrs Gallus) 0408 680 442 or 02 6277 4840
Jo Elsom (AusAID) 02 6206 4960 or 0412 804 489