MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
Australia welcomes the third annual Centre for Global Development/Foreign Policy Commitment to Development Index (CDI) which has ranked Australia fourth on a list of 21 nations comparing donor country policies on development for the second year in a row.
The CDI, produced by the US Centre for Global Development (CDG), takes a commendable approach of assessing the performance of donor countries by examining not only aid, but also donor government action on allied aspects of development including trade, investment, migration, environment, security and technology.
The Index stresses that reducing poverty in developing countries is about far more than giving money, a position that Australia has consistently supported for many years.
I am particularly pleased to note that Australia is ranked equal first for our performance on security, which is recognized by the CGD as a prerequisite for development. The Index applauds the outstanding work we have done, for instance, in peace-keeping and restoring law and order in East Timor and Solomon Islands.
I am also delighted that Australia achieves the second highest ranking for our performance on trade. This excellent result reflects the fact that we have policies which limit our trade barriers against exports from developing countries. We have the world's lowest tariffs on agriculture, low levels of agricultural subsidies and since 2003 we have applied zero tariffs and quotas to goods from the world's 50 least developed countries.
In numerous international forums, Australia has repeatedly stressed that trade liberalization has the potential to lift millions out of poverty. If developing countries increased their share of world trade by just five percent this would generate financial flows worth about $500 billion - seven times as much as they receive in aid.
We will continue to push for successful outcomes from the current World Trade Organisation Doha Round. Long term hope for the world's poor depends on more developed countries removing trade barriers and creating a more vibrant and open global economy.
I was also pleased to note that the CGD acknowledges the Australian people for their generosity in making private charitable donations - a finding which is no surprise when we consider the extraordinary outpouring of support and assistance from Australians in the aftermath of the Indian Ocean tsunami.
Media inquiries:
Chris Kenny (Mr Downer's office) 0419 206 890
AusAID (Public Affairs) 0417 680 590