Australian Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer, today announced that a Parliamentary Observer Group, comprising three
members of the Australian Parliament - Senator Alan Ferguson (Leader), Mr Kim Wilkie MP and Senator Andrew Murray - has
been commissioned to observe the Zimbabwe elections on 24-25 June, and has commenced its work.
With the cooperation of the Presiding Officers of the Parliament, the Group has been established under the auspices of
the Commonwealth of Australia Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.
Mr Downer stated Australia's involvement in the international observation effort for these elections is significant and
appropriate in view of international and domestic concern about the situation in Zimbabwe and Australia's
responsibilities as a member of the Commonwealth.