Policy E8: Overseas Aid

1.      Australia has a responsibility to contribute to both long term development aimed at eliminating global poverty and reducing climate change vulnerability, and to humanitarian emergency relief where people become vulnerable and suffer because of natural disasters or social conflict.

2.      it is in Australia's interests, and the interests of the global community, to encourage positive and equitable change in the social, economic and environmental conditions for citizens of developing nations.

3.      all long term poverty elimination programs should be economically and environmentally sustainable, promote local participation and gender equality, and enhance the political, economic and social rights of the recipient communities.

4.      aid should always be designed to directly benefit the poorest communities, rather than the wealthy elites in developing countries or donor governments and their aid-related commercial interests.

5.      long term aid should be directed towards enhancing self-reliance in developing nations.

6.      long term aid projects must be integrated with international trade, environmental and social policies in order to promote equity.

7.      emergency relief to save lives and alleviate suffering of vulnerable people during social conflicts and natural disasters should be provided:

• with impartiality and based solely on need;

• with neutrality, not favouring either side in any armed conflict;

• independent from the political, economic, or military objectives of the Australian government in the area concerned; and

• with full implementation of international humanitarian law, refugee law and human rights.

8.      emergency relief in situations of armed conflict should be carried out by civilians and must be clearly distinguished from any military activities.

9.      a direct role for military forces in the provision of relief should be restricted to situations involving natural disasters where ambiguity over the military role is unlikely to arise.

10. aid programs should not be used to influence the democratic preferences of any nation.

11. Australia’s aid program to focus on working with developing countries to realise the millennium development goals.

12. the level of Australian overseas aid increased to a minimum of 0.7% of GNP by 2010, as mandated by the United Nations, with provision for greater increases should natural disasters or conflicts requiring major humanitarian interventions occur.

13. the purpose and impact of all aid programs to be transparent and fully accountable, both to the Australian government and the communities and countries they are designed to benefit.

14. a non-commercial aid program; aid must not be used as a means of subsidising Australian business.

15. long term aid programs that combat climate change as an integral part of their poverty elimination strategy.

16. Australia to play a leading role in securing global contributions to UN and other international appeals for funding, expertise and logistical support to deal with humanitarian emergencies wherever they occur.

17. establish AusAID as an independent department with its own minister, outside the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

18. require environmental, social and gender impact statements for all aid programs.

19. ensure that international aspects of Australian policies on trade, economic and social issues are consistent with, and contribute towards, global poverty alleviation goals.

20. ensure that ‘good governance’ activities within the aid program promote governance structures and processes which serve the interests of those in poverty.

21. ensure that the valuable role of non-government aid organisations in providing critical analysis and scrutiny of the aid program is recognised and supported by the Australian government.

22. ensure an increased role for non-government aid organisations in implementing Australia’s aid programs.

23. select implementing agencies for the aid program based on developmental effectiveness, participatory approach and cost effectiveness.

24. increase funding to deal with both prevention and the consequences of HIV-AIDS in all aid programs.

25. provide assistance, including funding to assist communities, particularly in the Asia Pacific, to adapt to climate change impacts so that they can remain in their own countries and maintain their cultural cohesion.

26. ensure that Australian Government agencies are organised, trained and resourced to carry out effective overseas relief work, and collaborate with Australian non-government organisations in building their emergency response capacity.

27. work with developing countries in disaster prone areas to reduce their vulnerability and the impact of disasters, enhancing the capacity of both governments and local non-government organisations.