MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
Australia's leading role in responding to the Indian Ocean tsunami this year has highlighted the effectiveness and generosity of our aid program. The prompt, efficient and co-ordinated response from Australia has helped to save lives, rebuild communities and provide hope for countless people. It also demonstrated the best attributes of our aid strategy to vast numbers of people at home and abroad.
Australia's overseas development assistance expenditure topped $2 billion for the first time this financial year. And we have already added to that with the $1 billion Australia Indonesia Partnership for Reconstruction and Development - a five year program that is our largest ever single aid package.
As I stated in the Thirteenth Annual Statement on Australia's aid program in the Federal Parliament today, Australia's tsunami response demonstrated just how effective an integrated whole-of-government approach towards aid delivery can be, especially in times of crises. Within hours of the tsunami striking in the Indian Ocean, Australia's aid, diplomatic, police, defence and other arms of government were working seamlessly to provide urgent assistance.
In other significant efforts, Australia has drawn on expertise and capabilities across government to lead the successful Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands and establish the Enhanced Cooperation Program in Papua New Guinea.
Australia's leadership role and integrated approach to helping address the region's development challenges has won international praise. The Government is committed to strengthening further the quality and relevance of Australia's aid program in order to help the region's poor.
Australia will pursue a number of interrelated policy, program and partnership initiatives to enhance the aid program, specifically:
- a closer partnership with Indonesia and the new $1 billion Australia Indonesia Partnership for Reconstruction and Development
- long-term and innovative approaches to our engagement with our immediate region
- measures to stimulate growth, including a practical analytical exercise called Pacific 2020, focussing on the long term growth prospects of the Pacific, PNG and East Timor
- tackling political governance and corruption
- addressing transnational threats centring around the implementation of Australia's $600 million HIV/AIDS commitment, and
- contributing to stability in our region.
But the Government is not resting on its laurels. This time next year I will deliver a White Paper on Australia's Aid Program which will provide a blueprint for our future aid engagements in our region. During the development of the White Paper I will access the best possible external expertise to ensure our aid effort remains at the cutting edge.
The Thirteenth Annual Statement on Australia's Aid Program is available on the AusAID website at www.ausaid.gov.au
Media inquiries:
Chris Kenny (Mr Downer's Office) 0419 206 890
AusAID (Public Affairs) 0417 680 590