Media release

24 May 2008

Bob McMullan to Represent Australia at UN-ASEAN Conference in Rangoon

Australia will be represented at the International Pledging Conference in Rangoon on 25 May by the Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance, the Hon Bob McMullan MP.

The conference is a UN-ASEAN initiative, involving the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon.

Mr McMullan’s involvement will reinforce Australia’s efforts to pursue appropriate access for the international community to deliver assistance to the victims of Cyclone Nargis which struck Burma on 2-3 May.

The Australian Government has consistently called on the Burmese regime to allow both humanitarian supplies and international disaster experts into the affected areas to ensure appropriate assistance can be delivered to the hundreds of thousands still in need.

Australia welcomes ASEAN’s actions in response to the devastation in Burma, including its efforts to engage Burma on the issue of access.

Australia attends the conference as one of the major donors to the relief effort, with an announced contribution of $25 million, in addition to the generous private donations of Australians.

Media inquiries: Mr Smith's office 02 6277 7500 - Departmental Media Liaison 02 6261 1555