The first question is why we invest in development assistance.
The Comprehensive Aid Policy Framework (www.ausaid.gov.au/about/Documents/capf.pdf ) sets out five strategic goals for the aid program – which seem to have bipartisan support. These are consistent with contemporary needs of developing communities as well as with international commitments made by Australia. They also have a clear link with national interest.
The second question is where we invest our development assistance.
Under the current government Australia expanded the geographical scope for Australian Aid to include Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. There are good national interests for this coverage as well as comparative advantages that Australia has in addressing priority needs in these regions. For example, Australia has expertise in effective governance of public service delivery and water resource management that is relevant to Latin America and we have rainfed agriculture and livestock systems expertise that is relevant to East and West Africa. This Australian expertise is already making a difference to people living in these regions, and more is possible for relatively small investments. Particularly in Latin America – where partner countries place higher value on Australian expertise than our money (for example, did you know that in 2012 there were 35,000 people from Latin America studying in Australia, almost all of them funded by their own governments or families?) The public diplomacy opportunities that aid provides Australia in the emerging economies of Latin America and Africa are an added benefit to Australians.
The third question is how quickly Australia will deliver on its commitment to 0.5% GNI ODA.
The Australian Parliament has committed to achieving 0.5% GNI for official development assistance. The target date for achieving this has been pushed out, and it would be sensible to have a realistic data for this (say 2020). Committing to a realistic date for this target would allow AusAID and other agencies delivering ODA to work with partner countries and delivery agencies to program additional investments prudently and professionally. It would also allow this new programming to be conducted as a true partnership, which takes additional time.
It would be a positive development for Australian Aid to be fully debated during the lead up to the 2013 Federal election. Ask your local Member for their response to these three broad questions and let us know how you got on.
