Page 2177 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 22 June 2005
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visited Dili in 2004 to sign the Canberra-Dili friendship agreement. This agreement arose from community initiatives, primarily by the Canberra Friends of Dili, as has been mentioned. The friendship relationship aims to promote educational, cultural, economic, humanitarian and sporting links between our two communities. The building of this relationship is something the ACT government is deeply committed to.
The motion moved by Mr Gentleman today provides a valuable opportunity to affirm the importance of this relationship and our friendship with the city of Dili and the people of Timor-Leste. As the newest nation in the international community, Timor-Leste is facing enormous challenges. Two hundred years of colonial rule under the Portuguese and 24 years of Indonesian occupation and the denial of independence make the challenge ahead significant.
We all remember the terrible destruction following the 1999 independence ballot when the Indonesian military and the militias carried out a scorched earth policy, razing what little infrastructure there was to the ground. In the nearly six years since then, Australia has provided a tremendous amount of assistance to Timor-Leste. Australian peacekeepers have maintained a strong presence in East Timor throughout the transitional period and formed a vital part of the UN forces present. Australian foreign aid and technical assistance to East Timor have exceeded $A40 million. A joint AusAID-Australian Federal Police program worth $40 million continues to provide long-term support for the Timorese in developing a professional national police force and working to strengthen other aspects of the justice system.
Many Canberrans have played a significant role in the Australian police detachment in East Timor. Ginninderra resident Tony Curtis, an AFP officer at the time who had long served the Canberra community with great distinction, led the first detachment. Seventeen of the original 50 officers were also from Canberra. Each of these officers was subsequently recognised for their outstanding work by being awarded a group bravery citation. It is also worth recalling that these officers served without weapons at a time when there were many militias in East Timor who were heavily armed. Subsequent contingents were also led by Canberra-based officers, and these included Alan Castles, Fred Donovan and Trevor Clark. All served with distinction. In addition, AFP officer Paul McEwan, who has also served in Canberra, was awarded the Australian Bravery Medal for his heroism under fire whilst serving in East Timor.
I have also been advised by Mr Curtis that, with subsequent contingents being selected to serve in East Timor, the percentage of Canberra officers chosen was increased due to the expertise these officers had in community policing. Canberrans can rightly be proud of the efforts of our officers, and the level of community safety that now exists in Timor is due in no small part to the work done by these men and women. This community can indeed be proud of the outstanding contribution made by all those AFP officers based in Canberra who served in East Timor with such distinction. The Australian government, through AusAID, is also providing support to Timor-Leste’s ministry of planning and finance to ensure the transparent and accountable management of public funds.
Australia has made a significant contribution to the establishment of East Timor as a sovereign nation. This should be commended and celebrated. Having said that, I would like to remind members that we would all do well to remember that Australia has a moral obligation to assist this fledgling democracy in whatever way possible. Were it not for
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