MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Smith
Today is the first anniversary of the swearing in of Mr Morgan Tsvangirai as Prime Minister in Zimbabwe's Inclusive Government, a significant milestone in Zimbabwe's recent political history.
Some modest progress has been made since the formation of the Inclusive Government. Sensible financial reforms are being implemented, and schools and health care facilities have been reopened.
Australia last year decided to consider opportunities for Ministerial engagement on a case-by-case basis with those Ministers of the Zimbabwean Government making a genuine contribution to Zimbabwe's social and economic recovery.
Consistent with this policy, I met Finance Minister, the Hon Tendai Biti, in London on 28 January to discuss ongoing reconstruction efforts on Zimbabwe.
This followed on from my visit to Botswana and South Africa where I discussed the current state of affairs with these two important neighbours of Zimbabwe and members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Despite recent progress, Australia is deeply concerned that ZANU-PF is not adhering to its obligations under the Global Political Agreement.
At some point in the future, President Mugabe will leave the stage, removing the major obstacle to the reforms that Zimbabweans voted for in the March 2008 general election. If genuine reform follows, the international community, including Australia, will be able to fully assist with the difficult task of rebuilding Zimbabwe's economic social and political fabric.
Australia is keen to play our part.
Following the formation of the Inclusive Government in February 2009, Australia was one of the first countries to deliver some development assistance, in addition to purely humanitarian assistance.
This goes beyond emergency relief and includes longer term measures to help restore essential services and capacity, such as water, education and healthcare.
Australia has in place robust implementation and monitoring systems in place to minimise the risk of funds being misused or misdirected.
Australia is also committed to working with Zimbabwe's neighbours to assist its recovery. In South Africa on 26 January I announced $6million in additional funding to work with South Africa in support of recovery efforts in Zimbabwe, focusing on taxation reform and water and sanitation.
Significant and sustained reform will be required before Australia considers reviewing its financial and travel sanctions. These sanctions target individuals who have been complicit in the brutality of Zimbabwe's past and who continue to obstruct economic and social reforms.
Since the formation of the Inclusive Government, Australia has announced $39 million in assistance to Zimbabwe.