Thursday, 13 May 2010

Australia to provide around A$458.7 mln in development assistance

PERSONAL NOTE: What this really means is, more roads built through rainforests to get at minerals Australia wants.The Australian government is actively supporting such ‘development’ right now, paying for rainforests to be destroyed and wildlife slaughtered – all with its taxpayers money. It's happening right now - as you read this.

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Australia to provide around A$458.7 mln in development assistance

Thursday, May 13, 2010 11:16 WIB National


Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Australian Government will provide an estimated A$458.7 million or approximately Rp3.8 trillion in development assistance to Indonesia in the twelve months from July 2010.

"This allocation reflects the importance the Government attaches to the Australia Indonesia Partnership, as our two countries work together to reduce poverty and achieve prosperity, stability and peace," said a statement posted on the official website of the Australian embassy in Jakarta, Thursday.

Australia will meet its commitment to provide up to $2.5 billion in aid to Indonesia over the five years to June 2013.

Australia`s Ambassador to Indonesia Bill Farmer said Indonesia remains the largest single recipient of Australian development assistance, including more grant funding than from any other bilateral donor.

"Australia`s latest budget commitment maintains the focus on practical development outcomes, promoting faster growth towards the Millenium Development Goals and greater attention to assisting the vulnerable," said Farmer.

The budget continues Australia`s support in the areas of scholarships, education, health, rural development and the International Forest Carbon Initiative.

Increases to Australia`s scholarship program will target human resource gaps and support strong people to people links between Australia and Indonesia.

An increase in health funding will assist Indonesia to strengthen its national systems for health service provision, and to reduce the number of women who die needlessly during pregnancy or childbirth, particularly in eastern Indonesia.

Ongoing funding for rural development will assist Indonesia to achieve its goals for food security, especially in the poorest provinces.

In education, continued Australian assistance will support Indonesia to achieve its plan for an effective and inclusive school system.

Australia will continue to support Indonesia`s management of climate change through the International Forest Carbon Initiative, working with the Government of Indonesia to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation.

This funding will support the Sumatra Forest Carbon Partnership to complement and build on the ongoing Kalimantan Forest and Climate Partnership, the embassy`s statement said.(*)

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http://www.antara.co.id/en/news/1273724187/australia-to-provide-around-a4587-mln-in-development-assistance