On 1 February 2008 Australia, along with 100 other countries, attended the Second Conference of the States Parties to the UN Convention against Corruption in Bali, Indonesia.
Australia strongly supports the objectives of the convention as the only global framework for cooperation on anti corruption measures.
A critical component of the Conference agenda was support for developing countries to implement their commitments under the convention and effectively address domestic and trans-boundary crime.
Australia stressed that corruption is a major impediment to growth and development and can reduce the effectiveness of aid. Given the strong links between anti-corruption and poverty reduction, Australia is giving greater weight, reach and focus to efforts to help our regional partners fight corruption.
Australia is giving expression to its anti-corruption and development policy 'Tackling Corruption for Growth and Development' with an initial $16.7 million in 2007-08 to tackle corruption in the Asia-Pacific region. It is doing this by designing targeted anti-corruption support in six countries: Indonesia, Philippines, East Timor, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.
Key foci for this strategy include:
- Building constituencies for anti-corruption reform
- Reducing opportunities for corruption
- Changing incentives for corrupt behaviour.
Consistent with international best practice, the Australian aid program will continue to tailor its anti-corruption approaches to fit the needs of the recipient country and support efforts to better coordinate anti-corruption work, both in-country and via international mechanisms.
For further information on the aid program's approach to corruption see:
6 February 2008