MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS, ALEXANDER DOWNER<br> MINISTER FOR JUSTICE AND CUSTOMS, SENATOR CHRIS ELLISON
We are pleased to announce a major new initiative to provide training and
management development for East Timor's national police force.
Australia will work in partnership with East Timor as it continues to build
an effective, professional and accountable police force. This $40 million
initiative will be delivered over four years.
The maintenance of law and order will be critical for East Timor's
stability and prosperity, particularly in the period following the departure of
the international peacekeeping force.
The new initiative will complement and reinforce considerable Australian
assistance already being provided to the East Timor police force through the
participation of Australian Federal Police officers in the United Nations
Police Force in East Timor.
Australian assistance will be delivered by AusAID and the Australian Federal
Police. AusAID will provide training and expertise in policy development,
planning and management - areas that are vital to supporting an effective
police force. Targeted support will also be provided to related law and
justice institutions.
The Australian Federal Police will provide training to East Timorese police
officers at college facilities in Dili and in the field through the 13
districts. The AFP will work with the East Timorese police to determine
high priority training needs. Priority will be given to developing the
basic skills needed by police officers to deliver community policing
services.
Australia will work closely with other development partners in the planning
and delivery of this assistance. The United Kingdom has already agreed to
provide assistance of around $700,000 this year in close coordination with this
important policing initiative.
Inquiries: Chris Kenny (Mr Downer's office) 0419 206 890
Michael Barrett (Senator Ellison's office) 02 6277 7260 or 0419 424 359
Jo Elsom (AusAID) 02 6206 4960 or 0412 804 489
Anne Lyons (Australian Federal Police) 02 6275 7100