18 May 2004
CHRISTIAN BROTHERS SUPPORT CALL FOR CHANGE IN AUSTRALIA'S STANCE ON EAST TIMOR OIL
In a letter on behalf of the Christian Brothers of St Patrick’s Province to the Prime Minister John Howard, Br Peter Dowling the Province Leader requested a change in the stance of the Australian Government in regard to its claim over the oil and gas resources in the Timor Sea. (The letter was also sent to the Minister for Foreign Affairs Alexander Downer, Leader of the Opposition Mark Latham, and Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Security Kevin Rudd)
“Leaving aside the legalities of the situation which many dispute, it seems clear to us that on moral grounds the position of the Australian Government cannot be justified” he said and then went on to add “On the one hand Australia enjoys one of the highest standards of living in the world and can afford to offer billions of dollars in tax cuts, mainly for the more well-off in our society whilst one of our nearest neighbours in East Timor is currently one of the poorest in the world where most of the population lack the basic necessities of life.”
Through its justice desk the Province has also joined with other Provinces in contributing to the cost of placing an advertisement in the national daily newspaper “The Australian” on May 20th - Independence Day in East Timor.
“Leaving aside the legalities of the situation which many dispute, it seems clear to us that on moral grounds the position of the Australian Government cannot be justified” he said and then went on to add “On the one hand Australia enjoys one of the highest standards of living in the world and can afford to offer billions of dollars in tax cuts, mainly for the more well-off in our society whilst one of our nearest neighbours in East Timor is currently one of the poorest in the world where most of the population lack the basic necessities of life.”
Through its justice desk the Province has also joined with other Provinces in contributing to the cost of placing an advertisement in the national daily newspaper “The Australian” on May 20th - Independence Day in East Timor.
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