The Australian Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance Mr Bob McMullan visited East Timor from 7 to 11 May.
Mr McMullan met with President HE Dr Jose Ramos Horta and Prime Minister Mr Xanana Gusmao and senior officials in the Government of East Timor to discuss the Australian development cooperation program.
He also met with major donors and partners and examined the progress of a number of Australian aid activities.
During his visit Mr McMullan announced:
- a $24 million four-year program to help create short-term employment opportunities and establish vocational education and training benefiting up to 70,000 young people;
- the development of a youth employment policy to assist East Timor's youth transition from school to work;
- a five-year $28 million justice program to build more effective, accountable justice institutions and support civil society to advocate for better access to justice for all;
- the provision of $23 million over four years to help East Timor implement its national health plan and improve basic health and hospital services across the country; and
- Australia's support for an $850,000 study to identify barriers to health care services and inform appropriate policy responses.
During his stay Mr McMullan visited the Dare War Memorial and school, built in 1969 by the 2/2nd Commando Association. The Memorial is in recognition of the assistance the Timorese provided to Australian troops in the face of an advancing Japanese army. Mr McMullan announced funding to a project that will provide equipment to the Dare Memorial site.
For further information see:
Media release