MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
Australia is to expand its efforts to help partner countries in the Asia Pacific region combat corruption.
Our new policy, Tackling Corruption for Growth and Development, released today, will guide Australia's support for partner countries as they strive to make the reforms needed to reduce corruption and improve their governance.
The policy builds on Australia's long-term investments in anti-corruption and governance in the region, including programs with an estimated value of $645 million in 2006-07, and reflects lessons learned from decades of experience in aid delivery.
Corruption is a serious global problem. It stifles economic growth and slows development. The World Bank Institute estimates that over time, countries that tackle corruption and improve the rule of law can increase their national incomes fourfold. Tackling corruption will help reduce poverty.
This anti-corruption policy outlines three elements to combat corruption in the region: building constituencies for anti-corruption reform; reducing opportunities for corruption and changing incentives for corrupt behaviour. The policy provides a basis for the expansion of existing anti-corruption activities throughout Australia's aid program.
We will work with leaders and institutions in partner countries to support good leadership and coalitions against corruption. Australia will also support reforms to electoral systems, budget processes and financial management that reduce opportunities for corruption and make it easier to identify and prosecute corrupt practices.
Training of judges, police officers, civil servants and the community leaders of tomorrow will help foster integrity and accountability. Australian support will improve transparency in public sectors to improve government administration and public scrutiny of monetary flows.
Australia is serious about helping reduce poverty in the Asia Pacific region. Unless corruption is tackled strenuously, efforts to cut poverty and promote development will be compromised.
See Tackling Corruption for Growth and Development
Media contacts:
Tony Parkinson (Minister's Office) 02 6277 7500
AusAID (Public Affairs) 0417 680 590