Foreword
The 2010‑11 Budget reaffirms the Government's ongoing commitment to scale up Australia's development assistance program to 0.5 per cent of Gross National Income (GNI) by 2015-16.
It is in Australia's national interest to increase the level of Australian aid to help people and governments of developing countries achieve economic stability and development.
Australia's ability and commitment to an increased aid program is in line with Australia's world economic position. It will assist developing countries recover from the global economic and food crises. It will help them adapt to the challenges of climate change. It will help developing countries work towards sustainable economic growth. It will help them reduce poverty and progress towards the United Nations (UN) Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Australia will continue to provide humanitarian assistance in response to emergencies and crises, including those resulting from conflict and long-term droughts.
Through this Budget, total Australian official development assistance (ODA) is forecast to increase to $4,349 million up from $3,818 million in 2009‑10. This represents 0.33 per cent of GNI. The aid program has increased in dollar terms since the 2009‑10 Budget at a pace that allows a managed scale up to 0.5 per cent of GNI by 2015-16.
This Budget is focused specifically on improving the delivery of basic services, particularly in the education and health sectors, and on increasing skills, capacity and leadership in developing countries. It confirms Australia's commitment to expand our engagement in Africa, enhance our development relationships with Indonesia and in East Asia, and reduce conflict and improve humanitarian conditions in Central Asia and the Middle East.
We are pleased to present this overview of the Government's priorities for Australia's aid program in 2010‑11. These initiatives illustrate Australia's commitment to global efforts to achieve the MDGs.
Australia is committed to an aid program that is generous, effective and in Australia's national interest — a program that reflects Australian generosity and which enhances Australia's reputation as a good international citizen.
SIGNED
SIGNED
Stephen Smith
Bob McMullan
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