ARCHIVED MEDIA RELEASE
PA/10/2005 14 March 2005
Australian PM reaffirms Commonwealth's values - Melbourne Games baton relay starts today
On the occasion of Commonwealth Day, Australia's Prime Minister John Howard has celebrated Australia's membership of the Commonwealth and reaffirmed Australia's shared commitment to the values of democracy, good governance, the protection of human rights and support for the Commonwealth's diverse membership. Mr Howard noted Australia's determination to work together with fellow Commonwealth members to further these values.
In his message, Mr Howard also said that Australians' "thoughts turn in sympathy and support" to Commonwealth countries affected by the terrible devastation caused by the recent tsunami.
The day also marks the start of the Queen's baton relay in London, signalling the beginning of the process leading up to the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. The baton will pass through India on 13 September on its journey to Melbourne after traversing through 71 countries and a distance of 180,000 km. It will be the world's longest and most inclusive relay ever.
The Melbourne Games will begin on 15 March 2006. "Australia believes that the Commonwealth Games are a great unifying force for the Commonwealth countries," said Mr John Fisher, spokesman for the Australian High Commission in India.
Australia has also pledged support to promoting education and sustainable development among the member states of the Commonwealth and is lending its support to fulfilling this year's theme, "Education - Creating Opportunity, Realising Potential". Through the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Cooperation, Australia assists Commonwealth countries strengthen their governance and improve the quality of life of their people.