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Official News - October 2007
► Australia supports the development of Asia-Pacific infrastructure
The Australian Government has allocated $500 million over the next four years to a range of programs supporting economic growth in the region, as part of the Infrastructure for Growth Initiative announced in this year's Budget.
Australia will invest in infrastructure development initiatives in the Asia-Pacific region to promote cleaner energy, improved roads, better and more secure water sources, and enhanced management of key infrastructure.
Poor infrastructure is one of the most pressing challenges to poverty reduction and sustainable economic growth in Asia and the Pacific. In Asia, rapid population growth and urbanisation threaten to overload infrastructure systems. In the Pacific, 80 per cent of the population living in remote, rural areas need improved access to markets and services.
Australian support will be provided to partner governments to improve their provision of reliable transport networks, clean energy, water supply, sanitation services, water resources management, and road safety.
In Indonesia, Australia will invest $65 million to help deliver essential services such as safer roads, cleaner water and renewable energy resources. Initial activities will include a review of Indonesia's road safety programs and assistance to the Ministry of Finance to strengthen its risk management procedures for infrastructure investment.
Other activities will include:
- improving roads in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, the Philippines, Laos and Vietnam;
- improving energy utilities in the Pacific and Mekong regions; and
-helping to improve infrastructure planning and management in East Timor.
Australia will also work in partnership with the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and other donors to address infrastructure challenges. We will support a program that includes activities in Indonesia, the Philippines, Cambodia and Laos to help provide millions of people with safe drinking water and improved sanitation, better irrigation services, and reduced flood risk.The program also aims to integrate water resources management in 25 river basins in Asia and the Pacific.
► Australia’s New Citizenship Test
On 1 October 2007 Australia introduced a citizenship test to assist people wanting to become Australian citizens to gain an understanding of Australia’s history, values, traditions and national symbols.
As of 1 October 2007 people who wish to become Australian citizens will need to pass a citizenship test.
The test (conducted in English) is computer-based and includes 20 multiple-choice questions and three mandatory questions on the responsibilities and privileges of Australian citizenship.
Applicants who complete the new citizenship test will not be required to sit a separate English language test. An applicant’s English language skills will be demonstrated by their ability to successfully complete the citizenship test. Assistance will be available for applicants with low levels of English literacy or computer skills, or those with a disability.
The citizenship resources book, Becoming an Australian Citizen, will contain all of the information applicants will need to know for the test. The book will be widely available online (www.immi.gov.au) in printed, electronic and audio visual form.
The pass mark for the test is 60 per cent and applicants can sit the test as many times as they need in order to pass.
Applicants younger than 18 years, or 60 years or older, will not be required to sit the test, nor will those suffering from a permanent mental or physical incapacity which prevents them from understanding the nature of their citizenship application.
In addition to the 13 Department of Immigration and Citizenship offices located in all capital cities and in major regional centres, test sites will be rolled out at 30 Medicare Australia and four Centrelink offices by the end of 2007.
By promoting social cohesion and successful integration into the community, the new citizenship test will be an important part of ensuring that migrants have the capacity to fully participate in Australian society as citizens.
► Burma: Protests
Australia condemns the Burmese regime’s brutal suppression of recent peaceful protests and its ongoing campaign of intimidation. Australia calls on the regime to cease arresting pro-democracy supporters and to release those already detained.
The Australian Government is concerned that the death toll arising from the regime’s suppression of the protesters may be significantly higher than the 30 the Australian Embassy in Rangoon has been able to confirm.
Detentions of protesters now run into the thousands and Australia holds grave concerns for the welfare of those detained, particularly given the regime’s poor record on this score, and the regime’s denial of access to the International Committee of the Red Cross.
The Australian Government’s statement to the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York on 2 October condemned the regime’s violent behaviour and praised the courageous protesters.
Australia welcomes the firm resolution by the UN Human Rights Council on 2 October which deplored the regime’s behaviour in response to the protests.
Australia awaits with interest the report of UNSG Special Envoy to Burma, Mr Ibrahim Gambari, on his recent visit to that country (29 September – 2 October).
Australia will continue to do what it can to intensify international pressure on the regime to embrace genuine political reform and national reconciliation.
In this respect, we particularly welcome ASEAN’s strong statements expressing its revulsion at the Burmese regime’s violent suppression of the protests.
Strong statements of condemnation from around the world will help reinforce to the Burmese regime that its behaviour is not acceptable to the international community.
Australia is moving to implement targeted financial sanctions against regime figures. Australia already has in place strict visa restrictions on senior regime figures and their associates and a ban on all defence exports to Burma.