Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard thanked Indonesia for donating one million US dollars to support reconstruction program in the aftermath of deadly flash floods in Queensland, a president aide said.

“President received Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s call at 12.30 PM. She thanked Indonesia for our commitment to helping the reconstruction and rehabilitation programs in Queensland,” the head of state’s aide for international relations Teuku Faizasyah said here Thursday.

Julia Gillard and SBY

President Yudhoyono was quoted as saying that Indonesia’s commitment to Australia was a form of solidarity to the country which had often assisted Indonesia when natural disasters occurred. In the phone talks, the Australian leader also congratulated Indonesia on its position as this year’s president of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and host of the ASEAN and East Asia Summits, he said.

Gillard expected Indonesia to be able to make breakthroughs during its ASEAN chairmanship period. For this purpose, Canberra was ready for assisting Indonesia. In connection with the state of Queensland’s flood disaster, tens of thousands of people were affected, including over 150 Indonesians who took refuge to secure areas in St.Lucia suburb in Brisbane.

The flood waters that had previously inundated many places in this city of two million people, including St.Lucia suburb as one of the clusters of the Indonesian community in Queensland had receded since last weekend. This condition has enabled the city and state governments as well as local residents, including Indonesian citizens, to conduct a massive clean-up and damage repair operation.

News Source : Kompas

Photo Source : nsinnovations, smh.com.au

Popularity: 1% [?]