Steve Bracks has been Special Adviser on governance issues to the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, Xanana Gusmão, since August 2007.
Mr Bracks acts in an honorary capacity, while a generous donation from Harold Mitchell AC, and support from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Timor-Leste, assist with travel, administration and research expenses. The Bracks Timor-Leste Governance Project is managed by Senior Research Associate, Ms Kim McGrath with administrative assistance from the National Education and Employment Foundation.
The Project is primarily focused on public administration issues that Prime Minister, Xanana Gusmão raised with Steve Bracks when they met in Dili during Mr Bracks’ first mission in September 2007;
. establishment of a Civil Service Commission;
. anti-corruption and audit reforms; and,
. improved strategic planning capacity within the Government of Timor-Leste’s central agencies.
Information about progress on these initiatives can be found at the Timor-Leste Government website: http://timor-leste.gov.tl.
Mr Bracks has led 22 missions to Dili since September 2007. At the start of each mission he has met with the Prime Minister to be briefed on the Government’s governance priorities and to provide up-dates on governance initiatives and other matters. Mr Bracks also regularly meets with the President of Timor-Leste, Dr Jose Ramos Horta, senior Ministers and Secretaries of State, the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) and Deputy SRSG, the UNDP Country Director and relevant development partners.
The Bracks Timor-Leste Governance Project has facilitated advice in relation to a sustainable retirement income scheme for civil servants; the development of a masterplan for sanitation and drainage in Dili; and, Timor-Leste’s Strategic Development Plan, 2011-2030. The Strategic Development Plan is the culmination of over 70 public meetings and constultations led by the Prime Minister. It was launched at the Timor-Leste Development Partners Meeting in July 2011. The Plan sets out a pathway to eradicate poverty and establish a diversified non-oil economy in Timor-Leste. A copy can be downloaded from: http://timor-leste.gov.tl/?p=5289&lang=en&lang+en.
The Bracks Timor-Leste Governance Project has also assisted the development of the Dili Chamber of Commerce, the Balibo Fort accommodation social enterprise project, a national football league initiative, and Cinema Lorosae, a project initiated by Mike Smith from the Sun Theatre in Yarraville Victoria that is taking movies to Dili and the districts.
Links
Harold Mitchell AC
http://www.mitchells.com.au/About/OurPeople/HaroldMitchell/
National Education and Employment Foundation
http://www.neef.org.au/
United Nations Development Program Timor-Leste
http://www.tl.undp.org/
Balibo House Trust
http://balibohouse.com/
Cinema Lorosae
http://www.cinemalorosae.com