The Foreign Affairs and Aid Sub-Committee of the Parliament's Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade has presented its first report for the inquiry into Australia's aid program in the Indo-Pacific.
In the report, the Committee recommends that the Australian Government change the name of the aid program, commit to a timeframe to increase Australia's investment in aid, and ensure more local recipient-country procurement.
The Committee also recommends measures to raise awareness of the benefits of Australia's aid program, and measures to ensure that investments reach the most disadvantaged and marginalised groups without distorting local economies.
Chair of the Foreign Affairs and Aid Sub‑Committee, Mr Chris Crewther MP, said that the Committee identified a need to strengthen Australians' confidence in the aid program.
"Australia has the capacity to do more, but the support of the Australian people is critical. The Committee hopes that the aid program can be better understood, not as a one-way street, but as a partnership that benefits Australia and our partner countries, in terms of defence, trade, the economy, security, health, human development, and more," Mr Crewther said.
"With stability and certainty in the aid budget, and a renewed focus on effectiveness, Australia's aid program can continue to build on its record of achievements," Mr Crewther said.
The report is available on the Committee's website at: www.aph.gov.au/jfadt.
