Timor troops in line for pay rise

By John Armstrong

New Zealand soldiers in East Timor will have their daily allowances boosted, with details of the increase to be announced today.

The cabinet yesterday debated an increase after sustaining political flak when it was revealed the existing allowance of $41.60 a day paid to Kiwi personnel is a quarter of what their Australian counterparts get.

After the meeting, the Prime Minister effectively confirmed the rates would be raised, but would not say by how much. Jenny Shipley would only say the troops could expect a "positive" announcement.

Final details of that announcement, particularly matters dealing with relativities with other entitlements, were being sorted out overnight.

Speculation yesterday was that the allowances will roughly double, still leaving soldiers well short of the Australian rate of around $155 per day.

Labour yesterday promised to "examine" the disparity between Australian and New Zealand pay and conditions for military personnel.

Mrs Shipley also confirmed New Zealand will no longer need to take any East Timorese refugees following weekend advice from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

Given the so far smooth repatriation of refugees from West Timor and the relative security established in and around Dili, the UN now believes there is no need to set up a temporary safe haven in New Zealand for up to 300 people.

Instead, a further $1 million - money which would have been spent on accommodating the refugees - will be immediately diverted by the Government to providing humanitarian aid in East Timor ahead of the rainy season. New Zealand has now contributed around $1.75 million for such relief.