Circular No. 2000-02 advised Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of the establishment of the NSW East Timor Working Party, and asked agencies to notify the Working Party of current and proposed involvement by agencies in East Timor.

The purpose of this Circular is to confirm these arrangements, and to emphasise the need for advice to the Working Party before NSW officials travel to East Timor and before commitments are made to the involvement of NSW agencies in East Timor. Advice to the Working Party should describe the agency's current or proposed involvement, including bids for projects. This request applies only to new matters that have not already been reported to the Working Party.

These notification arrangements are to continue until agencies are advised otherwise.

Agencies should take into consideration advice from the Commonwealth Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on the risks involved for personnel, before seeking approval from Ministers for official travel to East Timor. CEOs should ensure that officials travelling to East Timor are provided with appropriate expert medical advice before travelling. Risks to health should be taken seriously and officials travelling to East Timor should be aware of these risks and of the health precautions that they should take and the medical services available during their stay.

The Premier's Department contact is Ms Angelina Anassis, Assistant Project Officer, Ministerial and Parliamentary Services on fax number (02) 9228 4421 or Email: [email protected]. Agency responses by email would be preferred.

Yours sincerely

C. Gellatly
Director-General

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Related to C2000-02