Enhancing security and
development

Strengthening security

This Budget contains funding to boost international security efforts. Defence funding includes:

• $429 million to extend Australia's military involvement in Afghanistan
• $166 million to extend our military presence in Timor‑Leste
• $14 million for support to RAMSI.

The Government will meet its commitment to withdraw the main land combat force from Iraq, beginning mid‑year, with other contingents to remain, at a total cost of $155 million

Federal Police funding includes:

• $53 million to strengthen

• Afghanistan police counter‑narcotics measures
• $54 million to provide capacity building assistance to the Timor‑Leste police
• $75 million to assist Pacific policing, including in Samoa, Nauru and Papua New Guinea.

Expanding overseas development assistance

To reduce poverty and enhance stability in our region, Australia's ODA will increase to around $3.7 billion in 2008‑09. The Government is taking a step toward achieving its long‑term commitment to a ratio of ODA to Gross National Income of 0.5 per cent by

2015 by meeting its interim target of 0.35 per cent a year early in 2009‑10, and continuing to increase to 0.38 per cent in 2011‑12.

As a means of achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the Government will support economic growth in developing countries. Initiatives include:

• $300 million for clean water and sanitation in the Asia Pacific
• $200 million to support UN agency leadership on global efforts to reach the MDGs
• $127 million to establish a Pacific Region Infrastructure Fund to improve basic infrastructure.