Address by HE Ann Harrap to
IDEA/AU BRIDGE Capacity Development Course
2 February
Burgers Park Hotel, Pretoria
Ladies and Gentlemen
I stand before you as a representative of country with a very proud democratic history.
Australia is the 6th oldest continuing functioning democracy.
Very early on in our history we pioneered reforms that underpin the electoral practices of many modern democracies:
In 1855 the then-colony of Victoria introduced the secret ballot which became known throughout the world as the ‘Australian ballot’.
In 1856 the then-colony of South Africa eliminated professional and property qualifications and gave the vote to all men, and in 1892 gave the vote to women (only the second electorate in the world to do so).
And in the 1890’s the Australian colonies adopted the principle of one vote per person, stopping the practice of multiple voting.
So you can imagine, with a history like that we are very keen to share our experiences and expertise on electoral processes.
Traditionally we have done so with our partners in the Asia/Pacific region, particularly by supporting the capacity-development of election administrators.
Our support to Africa on electoral capacity building has been more recent. I should stress that our support for elections, including through the provision of monitors, goes back some time – including for elections in Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa.
But our support for electoral capacity building began in 2004 – through funding to IDEA’s BRIDGE programme.
From Australia’s perspective we welcome the opportunity to work with an organisation such as IDEA.
We were a founding member and we’re delighted to work with a partner whose efforts are designed to support sustainable democracy worldwide.
As well as the Australian government’s financial assistance to the BRIDGE program, Australia also partners in the program through the Australian Electoral Commission, which has a very proud tradition as an independent and professional Election Management Body. The AEC’s reputation worldwide is second to none.
The AEC not only hosts the project secretariat in its Melbourne Office but, being committed to the continuous professional development of its staff, it uses BRIDGE as a capacity building tool.
So can I tell you Ladies and Gentlemen you are in good hands if, and when, you come into contact with your counterparts in the AEC.
And they do have an international program working with Election Management Bodies around the world to provide technical assistance and visit exchange opportunities.
As I said the Australian government has been working with African countries on electoral administration issues since 2004 (the AEC itself was involved much earlier).
Our support to BRIDGE and to the Joint Activity Plan of IDEA and the African Union is part of our broader aid program to Africa which is worth over 116 million dollars this year.
My foreign Minister Stephen Smith was just in Addis Ababa at the African Union summit – the first Australian minister to attend the summit – and while there he told his African counterparts that Australia wanted to be part of Africa’s future in ways where our expertise and experience can make a unique and positive contribution.
Australia wants to deepen our commitment and enhance our relationships with the nation states and the continent of Africa.
Support for activities such as the one you are engaged in today is one way in which we can do that.
Australia has a very strong view that there is a connection between democracy and development
and that free and fair elections constitute one of the critical foundations to create the level of trust that is necessary for confidence, investment, and economic growth.
Australia is determined to work with Africa as a friend and a partner. Our commitment to working with IDEA, with the African Union, and you – representatives of election management bodies in East and southern Africa – is evidence of that.
Best of luck with the training and best of luck back in your home countries as you go about your work of managing elections.
Thank you.
