PM Transcripts

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EMBARGOED UNTIL 6.00 PM
FOR MEDIA 1 December 1985
The Government has offered to provide two Hercules C130A
transport aircraft to assist in the airlift of food supplies to
famine areas in Africa.
The aircraft would be provided through the International Disaster
Emergency Committee ( IDEC)/ Australian Council for Overseas Aid
( ACFOA) for use in the Sudan and/ or Ethiopia.
The offer is in response to a request made by Live Aid organiser,
Bob Geldof, during his visit to Australia in October. The Live
Aid Oz for Africa appeal was a fantastic effort. Those involved
in organising the appeal performed magnificently. The Government
is pleased to be able to support the campaign in this way.
The Government has agreed to meet the costs of making the
aircraft flight-worthy and ferrying them to Africa. This is
estimated to be between $ 1.1 and $ 1.7 million.
The aircraft are expected to be fully operational in Africa by
February next year.
The Government is providing about $ 35 million in relief food aid
to Africa this year and is also providing assistance for long
term development in Africa through bilateral technical assistance
and agricultural research.