MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Tony Eggleton as the new Chair of the Consultative Council of Australia's Centre for Democratic Institutions.
The Centre, established in 1998, is funded by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and is a key part of Australia's continuing efforts to build democracy in the Asia-Pacific region.
Mr Eggleton's nomination follows the appointment of the former Chair, Bruce Billson MP, as Minister for Veteran's Affairs. Mr Eggleton is currently Chair of non-government organisation, CARE Australia, and a Board member of CARE International.
He is also a member of Australia's Aid Advisory Council, former Chair of the Asia-Pacific Democratic Union and former Federal Director of the Liberal Party.
The Government's new White Paper on Australian aid highlights the importance of strengthening democracy and political governance in the region, with a focus on Melanesia, Indonesia and East Timor.
The Centre provides training, technical assistance and peer support for parliamentarians and emerging leaders in our region. It also works with political parties in the region to help build more robust and responsive democratic systems.
The role of the Consultative Council is to help guide the Centre's policy and strategic direction. Mr Eggleton's extensive high-level experience in working with political parties, electoral and parliamentary institutions and processes will be extremely valuable as it seeks to become the premier democracy advancement centre in the Asia-Pacific region.
Media contact:
Tony Parkinson (Minister's Office) 0409 536 410
AusAID (Public Affairs) 0417 680 590