MEDIA RELEASE

MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
ALEXANDER DOWNER

28 May 1999

Australian Observers To Assist Indonesian Elections

I am pleased to announce that Senator Alan Ferguson will lead a 25-strong Australian observer delegation to the Indonesian general elections, to take place on 7 June. The observer mission is an integral part of Australia's commitment to assisting the conduct of a successful general election - one which shows every sign of being the freest and fairest in Indonesia since 1955.

In sending observers Australia does not intend to stand in judgement of Indonesia during the election. The issue of the fairness and acceptability of the elections will be, primarily, for the Indonesian people to judge.

The outcome will have immense implications for Indonesia's economic and political stabilisation and recovery. Australia's commitment to help is made in this context. To this end we have now provided $15 million in electoral assistance including:

• the establishment of a national results centre;
• the production and distribution of civic awareness and voter education material;
• assistance to strengthen domestic monitoring groups;
• and we have placed a long term observer with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Jakarta to help it coordinate international observer efforts.

The Australian delegation will work closely with, and provide support and confidence to, domestic election observers. It will comprise 11 Members of Parliament drawn from both the Government and Opposition, one Senator-elect, 11 officials and two other observers. They will be located mainly in eastern Indonesia in Surabaya, Malang, Lombok, Kupang and Balikpapan.

Government: Senator Alan Ferguson; Senator Sandy Macdonald; Senator Karen Synon; Dr Andrew Southcott MP; Hon Judi Moylan MP; Senator Bill O'Chee.
ALP: Hon Stephen Martin MP; Mr Kevin Rudd MP; Ms Kelly Hoare MP; Ms Julia Gillard MP.
Democrats: Senator John Woodley, and Senator-elect, Mr Brian Greig.

In addition to the 11 officials, former ALP Senator, Mr Stephen Loosley, and Mr Vince Woolcock, adviser to Mr Tuckey MP, will also participate as observers.