MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
The renewed policy framework for Australia's aid program demonstrates the
Government's commitment to poverty reduction and good governance.
The 11th Statement on Australia's Development Cooperation Program, which I
delivered in the Federal Parliament today, will guide the Australian aid program
in our rapidly changing international and regional environment.
'Australian Aid: Investing in Growth, Stability and Prosperity' sets out a
strategy to capitalise and expand on the impressive gains made in recent years.
The statement demonstrates how our aid is reducing poverty and promoting peace,
and identifies ways to strengthen the program's impact.
Since 1997 the aid program has advanced Australia's national interest by
assisting developing countries to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable
development, especially in the Asia Pacific region.
We have achieved this by concentrating efforts in the areas of good
governance, open and accountable trade regimes, broadening access to new
information technologies, effective basic services such as health and education,
conflict prevention and sustainable resource management.
Australia's aid has played a critical role in responding to the Asian
financial crisis, the emergency in East Timor and conflict and instability on
Bougainville, Solomon Islands and Fiji.
We are helping developing countries with crucial challenges such as taking
part in the new round of global trade negotiations at the WTO and responding to
trans-boundary issues such as HIV/AIDS, people smuggling and the illicit trade
in drugs and small arms.
The critical importance of good governance in reducing poverty and promoting
development is reaffirmed. Governance is now the largest focus of our aid and
underpins all of our aid investments.
This will be reinforced by greater use of incentive-based approaches to
reward good performance and encourage reform.
I am confident Australia's aid is addressing fundamental development problems
and is playing an important role in meeting the Government's priorities in the
Asia-Pacific and beyond.
The 11th Statement on Australia's Development Cooperation Program and the new
policy statement 'Australian Aid: Investing in Growth, Stability and Prosperity'
are available on the AusAID website www.ausaid.gov.au
Contacts:
Chris Kenny (Ministerial) 02 6277 7500 / 0419 206 890
Jo
Elsom (AusAID) 02 6206 4960/ 0412 804 489