TRAVEL REPORT The Hon. Michael Atkinson MP Attorney-General ...

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Meeting SummaryMr Omerza welcomed and thanked the delegation for showing such aninterest in their country and city . He apologised for the absence of the CivicAdministrators and explained that most of them were on leave .Topics of discussion included the issue of Slovenians who live in Australiaresulting in the two countries enjoying very close links . Many Slovenians wentto Australia in the post-WWII period . The difficulty the community now faces ishow to encourage the maintenance of the Slovenian language and culture inits expatriate communities .The delegation was interested to hear about some of the political difficultiesrelating to a planning issue concerning the building of a mosque in the city . Aright-wing political party came up with the idea of opposing the mosque forpolitical purposes . They sought a referendum, which the Constitutional Courtof Slovenia refused, on the basis that it would constitute a breach of universalrights . The mosque will now be built as part of a multicultural centre .The city of Ljubljana appeared to have preserved its history well, maintainingthe planning integrity . When there are planning conflicts, for example,development versus preservation, old buildings receive a high level ofprotection . An institution has been set up for the protection of old buildingsand its assessment is required before any approval can be granted . Evenunder the socialist system, buildings received protection . The difference beingthat now if a decision is made to develop, it becomes much easier toimplement .There are 17 local communities able to submit proposals to the City Council,each representing their individual interests . The local communities have noexecutive powers, but have strong political representation through Councillorsand are financed by the government of the city . The Revenue comes from theState budget - depending on : the number of taxpayers ; compensation for useof land ; levying of fees and sales of city real estate .Traffic is a major problem in Ljubljana as 10,000 people commute to and fromthe City every day and there are insufficient garages and parking lots . Thereis a proposal to close down parts of the old city to traffic . Drastic measureshave been tried to improve the situation and despite action which includeswheel clamping, the culture of illegal parking still persists .There are no direct resources in the budget allocated for water, sewerage,public traffic, waste disposal, cemeteries, recycling programs and publicparking . Waste management, water supply and traffic will receive subsidies inthis year's budget . A problem had resulted from public moneys being movedfrom municipal issues to education, sport and arts . The State has changedthe legislation requiring the City to be responsible for education up to Year 9and at the same time has set up much higher standards for the provision ofthis education .Travel Report, Hon . Michael Atkinson, M.P. and Ms. Vini Ciccarello MP., August, 2004 24
The State has adopted a number of standards which affect all municipalities .Therefore this puts pressure on municipal budgets . Given its size, Ljubljana isunder the most pressure and in recognition of this pressure ; there has beenan agreement to have a special law for the capital city .On the topic of religion, Mr Ormeza told the delegation that although there is aprogram for religious studies, there are no religious schools in Slovenia atprimary level . There has been a huge conflict between the State and Churchover the introduction of religious education classes .There are 45 members in Ljubljana Assembly and the term of officer in theirelectoral system is four years . Currently, there is a ruling coalition betweenthe Liberals and Social Democrats . The Mayor is directly elected . Theparticipation rate in local government elections is around 65 per cent, whichcompares favourably when compared with the much lower participation rate inEuropean elections .Travel Report, Hon . Michael Atkinson, MP. and Ms. Vini Ciccarello MP., August, 2004 25
Page 1 and 2: SUPPORT SERVICES OFFICE- 9 FEB 2005
Page 3 and 4: INTRODUCTIONThe Hon . Michael Atkin
Page 5 and 6: SLOVENIAGeneral backgroundSlovenia
Page 7 and 8: President, Milan Kucan, who was Pre
Page 9 and 10: when plans for the partial privatis
Page 11 and 12: founded a Slovenian language school
Page 13 and 14: Monday, 2nd August, 2004Mr Samuel Z
Page 15 and 16: cultural exhibitions play a signifi
Page 17 and 18: The Attorney-General reported on on
Page 19 and 20: acquis communautaire and those form
Page 21 and 22: Immigration is not a contentious po
Page 23: Monday, 2nd August, 2004Mr Igor Ome
Page 27 and 28: We learnt that there are 193 Munici
Page 29 and 30: CROATIAGeneral backgroundCroatia ex
Page 31 and 32: judicial system and progress human
Page 33 and 34: Economic OverviewBefore independenc
Page 35 and 36: CROATIANS IN SOUTH AUSTRALIADemogra
Page 37 and 38: CROATIA PROGRAMWednesday 4th August
Page 39 and 40: more common, the Government has not
Page 41 and 42: About 90 per cent of all the financ
Page 43 and 44: 2003 President of the Democratic Ce
Page 45 and 46: If the Croatian system is not up to
Page 47 and 48: " Centre for Communication" Forensi
Page 49 and 50: There is great co-operation in figh
Page 51 and 52: Wednesday 4th August, 2004.Mr Domag
Page 53 and 54: Wednesday 4th August, 2004 .Mr Mila
Page 55 and 56: Thursday 5th August, 2004 .Mr Valer
Page 57 and 58: Mr Florean said that the defence ba
Page 59 and 60: So far, there have been no proceedi
Page 61 and 62: officers and a further 12 Croatian
Page 63 and 64: 1993 - 2001 Member of H .D .Z . Cou
Page 65 and 66: eal opportunity to achieve a synerg
Page 67 and 68: BiH is moving slowly towards becomi
Page 69 and 70: oversees the R .S .s first multi-et
Page 71 and 72: BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA PROGRAMTuesday,
Page 73 and 74: Karadjic and Mladic .tried for thei
Page 75 and 76:
With support and help, the Dayton A
Page 77 and 78:
Tuesday, 9 August, 2004Dr Sano Vlas
Page 79 and 80:
Wednesday, 11 August, 2004The party
Page 81 and 82:
create better conditions .suggestio
Page 83 and 84:
within Administration . The demogra
Page 85 and 86:
Australia formally recognised the s
Page 87 and 88:
Foreign Affairs and Defence have De
Page 89 and 90:
anking sector; adoption of new laws
Page 91 and 92:
THE SERBIAN COMMUNITY IN SOUTH AUST
Page 93 and 94:
The main problem facing the country
Page 95 and 96:
funding constraints they are primar
Page 97 and 98:
His Holiness has published Devich,
Page 99 and 100:
Tuesday, 17 August, 2004Mr Vojislav
Page 101 and 102:
Ms Radmila HrustanovicBelgrade Mayo
Page 103 and 104:
The Mayor felt that everyone had to
Page 105 and 106:
they have free time until 5 .00 p.m
Page 107 and 108:
they have to accept that competitio
Page 109 and 110:
international law and specifically,
Page 111 and 112:
Thursday, 19 August, 2004Mr Aleksan
Page 113 and 114:
Summary of report and recommendatio
Page 115 and 116:
MEDIA - AustraliaSlovenia Programme
Page 117 and 118:
Croatian Program, 5EBI FMAtkinson's
Page 119 and 120:
Bosnian Program, 5EB1 FMAtkinson's
Page 121 and 122:
Malaysian Government and is now ope
Page 123 and 124:
Serbian Program, 5EB1 FMMichael Atk
Page 125 and 126:
Milosh water originates from . . .
Page 127 and 128:
Media - BiHDelegation from South Au
Page 129 and 130:
Wednesday, 11 .8 .2004 Sarajevo Mor
Page 131 and 132:
LIBERATION (OSLOBODENJE) Wednesday,
Page 133 and 134:
Friday, 13 .August, 2004 .BANJA LUK
Page 135 and 136:
Sarajevo, 10.8.2004 .Public announc
Page 137 and 138:
Serbia and Montenegro were still de
Page 139 and 140:
AppendixDocuments ObtainedInformati
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TRAVEL REPORT The Hon. Michael Atkinson MP Attorney-General ...

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