MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Billson
Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs Bruce Billson will travel to Cambodia and Vietnam from 19 October to 29 October in his role as Australia's Special Representative on Mine Action.
In Cambodia, Mr Billson will meet with His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni, the Foreign Affairs Minister, other key government ministers and representatives of international and non-government organisations, including the IMF and the World Bank.
Mr Billson will visit Australian funded mine action activities, including the Cambodian Mine Action Centre, the Integrated Demining and Development Program implemented by CARE Australia, and Veterans International's Rehabilitation Centre for mine victims.
Mr Billson will also attend a Cambodian National League volleyball game featuring disabled athletes, including landmine survivors.
'Australia has committed $75 million for mine action over the next five years to tackle the horrific effects of anti-personnel mines and explosive remnants of war, in addition to the $100 million we have spent on mine action over the past decade', Mr Billson said.
Mr Billson will also inspect the AusAID funded Cambodian Criminal Justice Assistance Project and talk with Australian volunteers in Cambodia playing an important role in contributing to the country's development.
Mr Billson will meet with the Deputy Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister and other senior government ministers in Vietnam to discuss avian influenza, development strategies, agricultural production, mine action and donor engagement.
In Vietnam, Mr Billson will also visit Australian-sponsored agricultural projects, small business and marketing activities near Hue and in Ho Chi Minh City and a rural development program in Quang Ngai Province.
'These programs tackle rural poverty by giving the poor a better chance to have food security and generate income through micro-enterprise development, improved agricultural production and non-farm employment,' Mr Billson said.
Mr Billson's visit will include a tour of Australian Government funded efforts to assist local authorities prepare for disasters such as seasonal flooding during the wet season.
Media inquiries:
Shane Fairlie(Mr Billson's office) 0408 680 442
AusAID (Public Affairs) 0417 680 590