Steve Bracks Timor-Leste Governance Program
The Harold Mitchell Foundation is proud to support Steve Bracks’ role as Special Adviser on governance issues to the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, Xanana Gusmao.
While Mr Bracks, a former Premier of Victoria, acts in an honorary capacity, the funding from Harold Mitchell contributes to research, travel and administration expenses.
The Steve Bracks Timor-Leste Governance Project is managed by Senior Research Associate, Ms Kim McGrath, and is supported administratively by the National Education and Employment Foundation. The project also receives support from the United Nations Development Program in Timor-Leste.
Following his appointment as Prime Minister for a second term in July 2012, Prime Minister Gusmao invited Steve Bracks to continue as his Special Adviser on governance issues.
The Steve Bracks Timor-Leste Governance Project is primarily focused on public administration issues that Prime Minister, Xanana Gusmao raised with Steve Bracks when they meet in Dili in September 2007. These include:
• The establishment of a Civil Service Commission and institutional strengthening initiatives
• corruption prevention initiatives such as the establishment of an Anti Corruption Commission and financial audit procedures
• improved strategic planning capacity within the Government of Timor-Leste’s central agencies
• decentralisation initiatives.
Mr Bracks has led 26 missions to Dili since September 2007. At the start of each mission, he meets with the Prime Minister to be briefed on the Government’s governance priorities and to provide updates on governance initiatives and other matters.
Mr Bracks also regularly meets with the President of Timor-Leste, senior Ministers and Secretaries of State, the President of the Civil Service Commission, the President of the Anti Corruption Commission, the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) and Deputy SRSG, the UNDP Country Director and relevant development partners.
Harold Mitchell attended the Prime Minister’s Year of Administrative Reform Conference that was organised by the Steve Bracks Timor-Leste Governance Project in May 2008. At the conference, the Prime Minister announced the Government would establish an independent Civil Service Commission and an Anti Corruption Commission to professionalise the public service and combat corruption.
When Harold visited Dili two years later, both these bodies were up and running and being led by highly skilled Timorese nationals.
In 2011, following a request from the Prime Minister, the Steve Bracks Timor-Leste Governance Project assisted with the drafting of the “Timor-Leste Strategic Development Plan, 2011 – 2030”. The Plan was launched at the Timor-Leste Development Partners’ Meeting in July 2011. It sets out a pathway to eradicate poverty and establish a diversified non-oil economy in Timor-Leste.
During Harold’s second visit to Dili in May 2010, he was also able to visit the completed Fatunaba school and Dare Memorial Café. This project was an initiative of the Prime Minister’s wife, Kirsty Sword Gusmao. Using funds provided by Mr Mitchell, the Steve Bracks Timor-Leste Governance Project facilitated the relocation of the Fatunaba school to a larger building and the conversion of the old school rooms into a café and outdoor memorial to the courage of the Timorese community and Australian soldiers fighting the Japanese in World War 2.
These classrooms have been converted into the Dare Memorial Museum and Café that was officially opened by the Prime Minister on Anzac Day in 2009.
The Steve Bracks Timor-Leste Governance Project has facilitated expert pro bono advice in relation to a number of other initiatives, including;
• Advice from the Australian Industry Super Network on a sustainable retirement income scheme for civil servants in Timor-Leste.
• The development by Melbourne Water and Yarra Valley Water of master plans for sanitation and drainage in Dili.
• Assistance from the Victorian Employer’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI) to establish the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Timor-Leste which is an umbrella organisation representing business associations and cooperatives in Timor-Leste.
• The establishment by Mike Smith from the Sun Theatre in Yarraville Victoria, of a social enterprise, Cinema Lorosae, that is screening movies on an inflatable screen in Dili and in remote towns and villages across Timor-Leste.
• The coordination of engagement by universities in Australia with the Timor-Leste National University and Government Department by Universities Australia.
More information on ...
• Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste
• Timor-Leste Strategic Development Plan 2011-2030
• Anti-Corruption Commission of Timor-Leste
• Steve Bracks AC
• National Education and Employment Foundation
• United Nations Development Program Timor-Leste
• The Alola Foundation
• Cinema Lorosae
• Balibo House Trust
Related Partners & Projects:
Alola Foundation
