Scott Ludlam (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs, upon notice, on 5 July 2012:

(1) Is the Government providing any financial, technical, preliminary or drafting support towards a regulatory framework for Burma's extractive industries sector:

(a) if so: (i) which government agency is responsible, (ii) what type of assistance is being provided and at what cost, and (iii) how many staff are assigned to the task; and

(b) if not, given there has been a request from the Burmese Government for this type of assistance: (i) have there been any discussions within Australia towards providing support, and (ii) has the Government discussed the provision of this assistance with other members of the international community.

(2) With the increase in Australian aid to Burma, and the commitment to increasing this assistance to $100 million in 2015 is Australia looking to establish a formalised aid agreement with the Burmese Government; if so:

(a) what would this agreement include; and

(b) does the Government intend to provide financial assistance directly to Burmese government departments.