MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
I announce today further measures by the Australian Government in response to the Fiji military's unconstitutional removal of the democratically elected Government of Prime Minister Qarase. These measures affect Australia's aid program to Fiji.
These measures are based on two important principles: first, as far as possible Australia will not take any actions in response to the coup that will hurt the people of Fiji: second, Australia will only suspend assistance where the actions of the military render our programs ineffective or compromise their integrity.
Accordingly, Australia will suspend support for public sector reform, assistance to the electoral office and assistance to some agencies in the law and justice sector, in particular, the police and prisons.
Australia will maintain aid in other important areas, in particular, health, education and community development.
Media contact:
Tony Parkinson (Mr Downer's Office) 02 6277 7500
AusAID (Public Affairs) 0417 680 590