MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
During my visit to Tonga, a delegation of senior legislators from the Kingdom
of Tonga has accepted an invitation to visit Australia to study our
parliamentary procedures and processes.
The delegation will be led by the Finance Minister, the Hon. Siosiua
'Utoikamanu, and comes at a time when the Government of Tonga is making
significant progress in implementing its program of economic and public sector
reforms.
I am looking forward to meeting with Minister 'Utoikamanu in Nuku'alofa today
for a briefing on the reforms.
Out of a total Australian aid allocation to Tonga over the current financial
year, worth about $11.7 million, about one third is being allocated to improving
governance and is going toward supporting the Government of Tonga implement its
reform program.
Australian support of measures to promote better governance across the
Pacific is aimed at improving living standards by building a more secure and
prosperous region.
In Tonga, for example, working with the Ministry of Finance, Australia's
assistance will help strengthen financial management and performance budgeting.
At the same time, our aid program is targeting capacity building and
institutional strengthening within Tonga's health and fisheries sectors.
Australia is the largest aid donor to Tonga, accounting for about 40 per cent
of all aid to the Kingdom, representing about eight per cent of Gross Domestic
Product.
I look forward to welcoming the delegation, which will also include the
Minister for Justice, the Hon Aisea Taumoepeau, and representatives of the
people and the noble families. Exact dates for the delegation's visit are still
to be finalised, but it will take place early in the New Year.
Media Contacts:
Chris Kenny (Minister's office) (02) 6277 7500 or 0419 206 890
Jo Elsom (AusAID) 02 6206 4960 or 0412 804 489