MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Sullivan
'South Australians can be proud that South Australian wheat is going to help
people suffering from the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan', Chris
Gallus, MP, Member for Hindmarsh and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for
Foreign Affairs said today.
Mrs Gallus' comments came while visiting the South Australian mill where the
flour, to be packaged in bags marked 'Gift of Australia', is being processed. It
will be sent to assist the World Food Programme's relief activities in South
West Asia.
The Australian Government's overseas aid program has committed 7,200 tonnes
of Australian wheat to assist humanitarian relief activities in Afghanistan and
neighbouring regions.
A large component of this wheat, valued at approximately $5 million, is from
the wheat growing areas north of Adelaide, with all of it milled into flour at
Goodman Fielders Mill in Mile End.
'South Australians are always ready to help those in need and the Australian
Government's decision to provide emergency food aid to the people in Afghanistan
is a good example of this.'
Our overseas aid program is a major buyer of Australian goods - which means
more jobs for Australians, and in this case South Australians. Over recent
years, the Government's overseas aid program has bought about 50,000 tonnes of
wheat annually from South Australian farmers. And South Australian millers
produce about 8,000 tonnes of flour each year.
'All of this goes to help those most vulnerable, as well as benefiting South
Australians - a win-win situation,' Mrs Gallus said.
The Australian Government has committed a total of $23.3 million towards the
delivery of humanitarian assistance to displaced and refugee populations in
South West Asia. This includes support for Australian non-government
organizations and international aid agencies such as the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees and the International Organisation for Migration to
provide emergency assistance. Australia will continue to cooperate with the
international community in the provision of humanitarian relief and
reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan.
Media contact:
Kate Cowmeadow (Parliamentary Secretary) 0412 122 131
Greg Clough (AusAID) 02 6247 0714 / 0417 683 126