Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

The Minister for Foreign Affairs has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1) and (2) The following table provides details of Australia's assistance to the production sector in Burma in 2008-09, including aims and outcomes:

*Payments to WTO and the ASEAN Secretariat involved global and regional amounts which were nominally shared across relevant AusAID country programs, including the Burma program.

(3) Yes.

(4) The activities referred to in the question were designed carefully to ensure consistency with the Government's policy. The activities funded (see table above) involved:

(5) The timeframe for finalisation of the Burma country strategy is now the fourth quarter of 2011. The strategy is being developed by AusAID and involves consultation with other Australian Government agencies, the Australian Council for International Development, Australian non-government organisations with a presence in Burma, and other interested parties. The final strategy will be available on the AusAID website following approval by the Government.

(6) Australia's strategic approach to aid in Burma: An interim statement was placed on the AusAID website in December 2010. It outlined Australia's proposed strategy for its aid program to Burma and noted that further consultations with key stakeholders would occur as the final strategy was prepared. Parties with an interest in Burma are welcome to send submissions to AusAID at: infoausaid@ausaid.gov.au.