4 | About the House – AUGUST 2012 Despatch BOX

PACIFIC PARTNERSHIPS: Kiribati Room opening at the ACT Legislative Assembly

Making a difference in the Pacific

Increased vocational education is a parliament, Australian state and key to improving the employment territory parliaments are twinned prospects of young people in the with the parliaments of Pacific island Pacific region, according to Kiribati countries. With funding from AusAID, Education Minister Maere Tekanene. the program supports capacity building of Pacific parliaments. ACT is twinned Praising for its commitment with Kiribati. to improving education in Pacific island countries, Mrs Tekanene said Mrs Tekanene said the parliamentary vocational training is providing more twinning program provides an avenue opportunities for self-employment and for strengthening cooperation between innovation, giving greater access to developing and developed nations in last issue: APRIL 2012 job opportunities and stimulating the the Pacific region. economy. Back issues are available at “There are many things our nation www.aph.gov.au/athmag or email “If there is more vocational training, wants to gain from its relationship with [email protected] or phone freecall students will be more employable,” Australia,” she said. 1800 139 299. she said. During the visit by Mrs Tekanene and opposition MP Waysang Kumkee, a Mrs Tekanene was visiting the ACT committee room in the ACT Legislative Legislative Assembly as part of a Pacific Assembly was named the Kiribati Room Parliamentary Partnerships program. in honour of the twinning arrangement Under the program, which is and the growing ties between the two coordinated by the Australian federal parliaments.

Paralympians ready for London

Australia’s 2012 Paralympics squad AAP has been honoured at a ceremony at Have your say Parliament House in Canberra. Send your letters to: One hundred and sixty-one athletes About the House Mail, were selected as part of the Australian International and Community team for the 2012 Paralympic Games Relations Office, in London. PR IDE OF THE NATION: Paralympians with PM at Parliament House PO Box 6021, Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600, The athletes will be joined by 140 Reform addressed the or email: [email protected] officials in the largest Australian team or fax: (02) 6277 8521 ever selected for the Paralympics. athletes at the event, wishing them every success. Please include name, address and Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Opposition daytime contact details. Letters may be Leader Tony Abbott, Minister for Sport The Paralympics will begin with the edited to fit available space and Kate Lundy and Minister for Disability Opening Ceremony on August 29. for clarity.