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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 4 Hansard (29 March) . . Page.. 1024 ..

MR STEFANIAK (continuing):

When the Australian Defence Force moved in with their usual total professionalism, they spread out, with minimal casualties to the people who were likely to interfere with them, and they pacified a traumatised land. They acted in the best traditions of the Australian Defence Force throughout its most impressive history and added another glorious page to it. The diplomacy, the commonsense and the compassion shown from the commander right down to the lowliest private, seaman and airman inspired many people not only in Australia but throughout the world. Those members of the Australian Defence Force are most worthy of our congratulations.

One of the best ways a country, especially a developing country, can be helped is through building up its education system. This is crucially important, especially to enhance a country's long-term capacity to look after itself rather than to have a dependency on aid. The long-term development of East Timor and the efficient and effective use of the resources provided by Australian educational authorities are things we should aim for.

I am delighted that my Federal counterparts and my Victorian counterparts, who both have some papers on this issue for MCEETYA, indicate that they feel that this is best achieved by a coordinated Australian response and support for education and training - a coordinated response both within Australia and within East Timor. Accordingly, I think it is appropriate that Mr Berry's motion should call for support for all practical aid. That is something the Government is very happy to do. It is not absolutely certain yet what the best way of going about that is.

In Australia and indeed in the ACT we have a wealth of experience. We have a wealth of sources from which we can contribute to enhancing educational opportunities and getting basic education infrastructure back up and running in East Timor. I am delighted to read of the Commonwealth paper for MCEETYA. The aim of the World Bank, assisted by international donors, very largely Australian, is to repair and refurbish 75 per cent of primary and junior secondary schools at least to a minimum standard by October of this year.

Mr Berry is quite right - it is interesting to say that Mr Berry is quite right; I normally do not say that - in talking about the massive destruction of 700 schools. They do not have rooms; they are gutted shells. It is crucially important to get the basic infrastructure up and running. Then it is important to ensure that East Timor receive what they need to get back on track and determine what further reconstruction needs to take place and what further practical assistance the Australian States and Territories and Australia as a Commonwealth can give to this fledging nation.

There are some very serious problems facing East Timor and significant issues related to addressing those problems in an effective and timely way. As the two members who have spoken so far have said, there is a broad level of support, a very significant level of support, within Australia for providing assistance. I am pleased to see that this in so in other countries around the world as well. There is a concern in relation to the capacity of East Timor to absorb and effectively use international assistance. The Commonwealth

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