OECD Development Co-operation Peer Reviews: Australia 2018
Australia has a strong voice on the global stage. It actively and consistently advocates
for the interests of small island developing states and the Pacific region and on
issues such as disaster risk reduction and gender equality. In line with this focus,
the government has introduced a clear overarching policy vision and associated strategies
and guidance for development co-operation. A robust performance framework reflects
Australia’s strategic orientations, with value for money at the forefront. Among other
issues, this review also looks at how the Australian government has managed the integration
of aid within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the resulting opportunities
and challenges.
Published on March 26, 2018
In series:OECD Development Co-operation Peer Reviewsview more titles
If you are unable to download this report, click here and send us a message with your request.
Read the DAC's main findings and recommendations, available inEnglish and French.
Australia needs to shore up development aid to match its reinforced engagement, says OECD
Australia’s active global engagement on development and its focus on fragile small island states and disaster risk reduction are commendable. However successive cuts to the country’s aid budget since 2013 are impairing its efforts, according to a new OECD Review.
The latest DAC Peer Review of Australia says the introduction of a robust performance-based framework for aid policy in 2014 and the integration of aid agency AusAID into the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in 2013 – though not without challenges – have encouraged innovation and a more development-friendly outlook on trade. Australia now needs to restore its official development assistance (ODA), which projections indicate could drop to an all-time low of 0.22% of gross national income in 2017/18.
Read the press release, available in English and French.
A good practice excerpt from the peer review: Australia’s commitment to gender equality
Australia’s strong commitment to mainstreaming gender is particularly noteworthy on the policy front. Australia continues to champion gender equality internationally, regionally and bilaterally. A dedicated strategy, performance targets, financial resources and political leadership underpin this commitment, enabling Australia to make gender equality a genuinely cross-cutting issue (see Box 2.1).