TSUNAMI SUPPORT FROM QUEENSLAND
Published Thursday, 07 June, 2007 at 10:10 AM
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
The Queensland Government has now spent almost two thirds of the $10 million committed to the South East Asian tsunami relief program including donations totalling $1.5 million to the Australian Red Cross, World Vision, OxFam and Care Australia.
Premier Peter Beattie said the funding was supporting projects in Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Thailand.
“Additionally, funds raised from the From the Gold Coast with Love appeal and the Sunshine Coast Rebuilding Kumari appeal, which the Queensland Government matched dollar for dollar, have also been added to the Sri Lankan relief efforts.
Mr Beattie today informed Parliament that since Queensland started the aid project, $6,466,000 of the total funding package has been spent, with all projects to be completed by June 2008.
“The Queensland Government is supporting a housing and community development program which will provide new homes and community facilities in two Sri Lankan villages,” Mr Beattie said.
“In Indonesia, Queensland is funding a project to provide housing for displaced civil servants who in turn can then better respond to the demands of their duties as health providers, teachers, social workers, police and other service providers.
“The Queensland Government is also funding two initial phases of a geothermal power plant development to provide power for people in Aceh.
“In Thailand, Queensland is funding a sustainable tourism project which will create community prosperity through assisting local authorities to develop tourism with environmental sustainability,” Mr Beattie said.
Mr Beattie said the Queensland Government had also committed $500,000 to the victims of the Central Java earthquake that occurred in May 2005.
The website for Queensland’s tsunami effort is www.thepremier.qld.gov.au/tsunami/
“Queensland had its own possible tsunami threat on April 2 this year, an event that has reinforced the importance of the Australian Tsunami Warning System project,” Mr Beattie said.
“I have written to the Prime Minister urging him to take whatever steps he can to accelerate this project because we need the best possible systems and processes in place to protect people living in coastal Queensland.
Media Contact: Premier’s office 3224 4500
7 June 2007
Premier Peter Beattie said the funding was supporting projects in Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Thailand.
“Additionally, funds raised from the From the Gold Coast with Love appeal and the Sunshine Coast Rebuilding Kumari appeal, which the Queensland Government matched dollar for dollar, have also been added to the Sri Lankan relief efforts.
Mr Beattie today informed Parliament that since Queensland started the aid project, $6,466,000 of the total funding package has been spent, with all projects to be completed by June 2008.
“The Queensland Government is supporting a housing and community development program which will provide new homes and community facilities in two Sri Lankan villages,” Mr Beattie said.
“In Indonesia, Queensland is funding a project to provide housing for displaced civil servants who in turn can then better respond to the demands of their duties as health providers, teachers, social workers, police and other service providers.
“The Queensland Government is also funding two initial phases of a geothermal power plant development to provide power for people in Aceh.
“In Thailand, Queensland is funding a sustainable tourism project which will create community prosperity through assisting local authorities to develop tourism with environmental sustainability,” Mr Beattie said.
Mr Beattie said the Queensland Government had also committed $500,000 to the victims of the Central Java earthquake that occurred in May 2005.
The website for Queensland’s tsunami effort is www.thepremier.qld.gov.au/tsunami/
“Queensland had its own possible tsunami threat on April 2 this year, an event that has reinforced the importance of the Australian Tsunami Warning System project,” Mr Beattie said.
“I have written to the Prime Minister urging him to take whatever steps he can to accelerate this project because we need the best possible systems and processes in place to protect people living in coastal Queensland.
Media Contact: Premier’s office 3224 4500
7 June 2007