Mr WOOD - 2007-02-22
Much is said by your government about the close relationship between the Northern Territory and East Timor. I know your government has been assisting with some aspects of health. What other projects are currently running in East Timor, and how much funding is your government giving to East Timor?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the relationship between the Northern Territory and Timor-Leste is a strong one, and over the time of the Timor-Leste government, we have worked hard to develop. I have said previously that sometimes that has been difficult. The priority for the Timorese government has been, in many ways, just managing. They have been short of resources, they have taken time, understandably, to develop their public sector and the mechanisms you need in place to successfully interact with an area like the Northern Territory.
We have had many programs in place. There has been a lot of assistance from many different areas. I would have like it to have been done on a more formal basis with the Timor-Leste government. That is not been possible. However, if you look at some of the areas we have worked in, and you mentioned health where there has been some substantial work, particularly through the Menzies School of Health Research, and there has been work done in mines, horticulture, fisheries and tourism. There has been engagement with our public sector about developing capacity in what is an emerging public sector for the Timor-Leste people. There has been judicial officer training sponsored by the Justice department. We have had scholarships for East Timorese students to come to the Territory, so there are a lot of different areas.
While I had hoped at some stage to sign a formal memorandum of understanding about this, it has not been achievable. The difficulties faced by the government have been quite substantial, but we have had many programs in place without that formal MOU. If I look back at the time, I would have liked to have done more. It has not been possible, despite our best intentions, but we will continue to work in a number of areas. The work that has been done has been substantial and has made a difference for Timor-Leste. We will continue that strong relationship.
Mr HENDERSON (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the relationship between the Northern Territory and Timor-Leste is a strong one, and over the time of the Timor-Leste government, we have worked hard to develop. I have said previously that sometimes that has been difficult. The priority for the Timorese government has been, in many ways, just managing. They have been short of resources, they have taken time, understandably, to develop their public sector and the mechanisms you need in place to successfully interact with an area like the Northern Territory.
We have had many programs in place. There has been a lot of assistance from many different areas. I would have like it to have been done on a more formal basis with the Timor-Leste government. That is not been possible. However, if you look at some of the areas we have worked in, and you mentioned health where there has been some substantial work, particularly through the Menzies School of Health Research, and there has been work done in mines, horticulture, fisheries and tourism. There has been engagement with our public sector about developing capacity in what is an emerging public sector for the Timor-Leste people. There has been judicial officer training sponsored by the Justice department. We have had scholarships for East Timorese students to come to the Territory, so there are a lot of different areas.
While I had hoped at some stage to sign a formal memorandum of understanding about this, it has not been achievable. The difficulties faced by the government have been quite substantial, but we have had many programs in place without that formal MOU. If I look back at the time, I would have liked to have done more. It has not been possible, despite our best intentions, but we will continue to work in a number of areas. The work that has been done has been substantial and has made a difference for Timor-Leste. We will continue that strong relationship.
Mr HENDERSON (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016