I am delighted to have become Patron of the Credit Union Foundation Australia (CUFA), an organisation which has done much to promote the sustainable development of our country and our region.

Access to affordable financial services is taken for granted by most Australians. The ability to access funds in times of financial or personal need, to grow by applying funds to the development of new services and products, and the independence and self-esteem gained from repaying debts is essential to the health of communities across the Pacific.

Yet through my own experience since the 1960s in the Pacific, and in reviewing CUFA's work, there are many places in our region where entire communities are disenfranchised through their lack of access to basic financial services.

CUFA's projects in Cambodia, Fiji, Tuvalu, Sri Lanka and the Solomon Islands are all playing a vital role in building the communities of those countries. In Cambodia for example, 85% of the population lives in rural areas and the overwhelming majority have almost no access to financial services. CUFA is helping these people to develop the skills to develop and manage their own micro enterprise activity. In Sri Lanka, a country still recovering from the 2004 tsumani, CUFA is supporting a loan pool focused on generating income for women and families.

CUFA's work in Australia helps individuals develop their financial literacy skills, and advocates the delivery of financial services which meet international standards for Corporate Social Responsibility.

And CUFA is also training the next generation of advocates through Development Education workshops with people from across Australia and the Pacific. Through these efforts, the good work of CUFA in building the financial capacity of communities will continue for many years to come.

As Patron, I support this work which benefits both our country and our region by offering greater opportunities for all.