Media Release
BOB McMULLAN MP
PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR FRASER
Australia recognises importance of sanitation in the region
Parliamentary Secretary for International Development, Bob McMullan will today help launch an
art exhibition to break the ‘toilet taboo’ and raise awareness of sanitation needs in the Asia-
Pacific region.
Poor sanitation affects about 190 million people in the Asia-Pacific region. Approximately 75,000
children die every year from diarrhoea in South-East Asia and the Pacific alone.
The public exhibition of 100 decorated toilet pans, to be displayed in Brisbane today, is part of
World Toilet Day, which aims to generate public discussion on sanitation issues.
“This exhibition is a timely reminder that more needs to be done to ensure dignity and health is
accessible to all through good toilets and sustainable sanitation,” Mr McMullan said.
“Toilets are a very serious consideration in developing countries where hygiene can be the
difference between life and death.”
Of the 22 developing countries that Australia provides assistance to in our region, 10 are not on
track to achieve the Millennium Development goal for sanitation.
“Progress towards so many other goals, about life expectancy for children, about broader health
and development goals, are contingent upon progress in the area of water and sanitation,” Mr
McMullan said.
“Decent sanitation is also a fundamental prerequisite of gender equality. Women suffer when
sanitation is not safely available where they live and girls are less likely to go to school when
sanitation is not of the appropriate standard at their school.”
Australia has long recognised the importance of improving access to clean water and sanitation.
In its 2008-09 Budget the Australian Government announced an investment of $300 million over
the next three years to increase aid for water and sanitation.
Organised by Engineers Without Borders, the art exhibition will be on display throughout
Reddacliff Place and the Queen Street Mall and at some railway stations and bus platforms.
Media contact:
Sabina Curatolo 0400 218 205
AusAID Public Affairs 0417 680 590
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