SlideShare uma empresa Scribd logo
1 de 25
Baixar para ler offline
IDS Guest Seminar:
  The Politics of Australian Aid Policy
                   Andrew Rosser
Visiting Fellow in the Governance team at IDS and
 Australian Research Council Future Fellow at the
                University of Adelaide
                19 September 2012
         Institute of Development Studies
Introduction
• Questions:
  – What are the main determinants of Australian aid
    policy?
  – Who are the key actors involved in making Australian
    aid policy?
  – What have been the key political issues in Australian aid
    policy in recent years and how have these been resolved?
  – What will Australian aid policy look like in the future?
Primer on Australian Politics
 Federal and state governments: aid is a federal issue
 Bicameral parliamentary system: House of
  Representatives plus Senate.
    different voting systems
 Political parties:
    Major parties: Australian Labor Party and the Liberal-
     National Coalition.
    Minor political parties (e.g. Greens) and independents,
     mainly (but not only) in the Senate.
 Recent federal governments:

   Hawke-Keating Labor (1983-1996)
   Howard Coalition (1996-2007)
   Rudd-Gillard Labor (2007-present)
       since 2010 a minority government
   Abbott Coalition (2013-onward)??
Main Determinants of Australian
Aid Policy
 Structural

   Structural power of capital has predisposed the
    Australian government, regardless of whether it has
    been led by the ALP or the Coalition, towards neoliberal
    policies. This has extended to the area of aid policy
    sector, notwithstanding the fact that it is relatively low
    profile.
 Institutional

   AusAID is an ‘autonomous’ agency within the
    Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and
    there is no separate Minister for Overseas Development.

       So aid policy tends to be heavily influenced by foreign policy
        concerns.
 Aid policy-making has been an executive dominated
 process

    It has taken the form of Ministerial Statements to parliament,
     statements in budget papers, White Papers etc. rather than
     laws.
    So the government of the day has been able to more or less
     hand-pick who writes Australian aid policy. The opposition
     and the minor political parties (e.g. Greens) haven’t gotten a
     look in.
• Foreign Policy Differences Between Major Parties
   – Generally, Australian foreign policy has been
     characterised by a high degree of bipartisanship.
     However:
    •   ‘The ALP has always seen itself as more open to multilateral
        and ‘idealistic’ influences in foreign policy’ while the
        Coalition has presented itself as more concerned with
        promoting Australia’s national interests, in accordance with
        realist thinking in IR (Dalrymple 2003)
 In aid policy, this has meant:
     greater willingness to deliver aid through and engage with
      multilaterals (in particular the UN) under the ALP than the
      Coalition
     greater willingness to broaden the geographic orientation of
      the aid program to countries outside Australia’s immediate
      region under the ALP than the Coalition;
     greater emphasis on the need for Australian aid policy to serve
      the ‘national interest’ under the Coalition than the ALP; ALP
      by contrast emphasises being ‘a good international citizen’.
 International Trends in Aid Policy

   Australia has tended to be a follower rather than a leader
    in the production of development policy ideas
       World Bank and DFID in particular have been key reference
        points
       Disability has been an exception
 Geo-political/economic Context

   Growing levels of affluence in Asia
       end of India and China bilateral aid programs
       increased concern with promoting development in middle-
        income countries


   Competition from new donors
Key Actors
• The broad parameters of Australian aid policy have
  historically been mapped out during major reviews
  of the aid program:
  –   Jackson review: 1983
  –   Simons review: 1996
  –   White Paper: 2006
  –   Independent Review of Aid Effectiveness: 2011

• Key actors in these reviews:
  – Orthodox economists
  – Representatives from the business community
  – DFAT and NGOs much less involved
Key Issues
 Objective of the aid program

   The issue: the relative emphasis on ‘national interest’ vs.
    poverty-related concerns.

   Downer (1997): the objective of the aid program is ‘to
    advance Australia’s national interest by assisting
    developing countries to reduce poverty and achieve
    sustainable development’.
– ALP (2011): ‘The fundamental purpose of Australian
    aid is to help people overcome poverty. This also
    serves Australia’s national interest by promoting
    stability both in our region and beyond. We focus our
    efforts in areas where Australia can make a difference
    and where our resources can most efficiently and
    effectively be deployed’


• What status do the MDGs have in Australian aid
 policy?
Australian ODA: 1972-2007

               0.6


               0.5


               0.4
Aid as % GNI




               0.3


               0.2


               0.1


                0
                     1972   1976 1980 1984   1988 1992 1996   2000 2004
 Size of aid budget

   There has been bipartisan commitment to increased aid.
       In 2005, PM Howard announced a doubling of the Australian
        aid program by 2010.
       In the run-up to the 2007 election, the ALP announced that
        aid would increase to 0.5 of 1% of GNI, a commitment the
        Coalition subsequently matched
 But this commitment has proven hard to keep


    Looking to shore up its economic credentials, the Gillard
     government announced in 2012 that it would delay
     achievement of the 0.5 target by one year.
    The Coalition has indicated a willingness to cut aid when it is
     politically expedient.

        e.g. proposal to cut Indonesian schools program following
         QLD floods.
 Geographical focus

   There is bipartisan commitment to a focus on the Asia-
    Pacific
   But aid spending on sub-Saharan Africa has been
    ramped up dramatically in recent years
       also Latin America but to a much lesser extent.
   But how far can this go?
       The Coalition has indicated some doubt about this shift.
 Sectoral focus

   Growth vs. education and environment




 Aid delivery mechanisms
The politics of Australian Aid Policy
If Abbott, Then What?
 Ideological orientation of aid program
    unlikely to change dramatically but possibly some
     scepticism towards whatever replaces the MDGs


 Objective of the aid program
   likely to be a reassertion of ‘national interest’ concerns
 Size of the aid budget
    The Coalition is formally committed to the 0.5 target.
    But it will almost certainly be looking to make cuts to
     government spending if it wins office
    My guess is that, in the absence of a major economic
     downturn, the Coalition will meet the 0.5 and the out
     things on hold for a while. Thereafter, they’ll follow
     international trends
 Geographical orientation of the aid program
    aid to Africa likely to stay because
       of concerns about reputational damage if it withdraws and
       growing wealth in Asia. The latter raises very difficult
        questions about how Australia engages with Asia and the role
        of aid in this process.
       This issue has already been discussed at the Shadow cabinet
        table
   but.......
 Institutional
    Current coalition policy is to create new Ministerial
     appointment in Overseas Aid (not clear if senior or
     junior) but not upgrade AusAID to department status


 Sectoral focus
    Reassertion of economic growth
The politics of Australian Aid Policy

Mais conteúdo relacionado

Destaque

IDS Impact, Innovation and Learning Workshop March 2013: Day 2, Paper Session...
IDS Impact, Innovation and Learning Workshop March 2013: Day 2, Paper Session...IDS Impact, Innovation and Learning Workshop March 2013: Day 2, Paper Session...
IDS Impact, Innovation and Learning Workshop March 2013: Day 2, Paper Session...Institute of Development Studies
 
In it for the long term? Governance and learning among Chinese investors in Z...
In it for the long term? Governance and learning among Chinese investors in Z...In it for the long term? Governance and learning among Chinese investors in Z...
In it for the long term? Governance and learning among Chinese investors in Z...Institute of Development Studies
 
Decentralization and popular democracy - governance from below in bolivia
Decentralization and popular democracy  - governance from below in boliviaDecentralization and popular democracy  - governance from below in bolivia
Decentralization and popular democracy - governance from below in boliviaInstitute of Development Studies
 
Rebalancing The Macroeconomy for Sustainable Development in Transitional China
Rebalancing The Macroeconomy for Sustainable Development in Transitional ChinaRebalancing The Macroeconomy for Sustainable Development in Transitional China
Rebalancing The Macroeconomy for Sustainable Development in Transitional ChinaInstitute of Development Studies
 
IDS Impact Innovation and Learning Workshop March 2013: Day 1, Paper session ...
IDS Impact Innovation and Learning Workshop March 2013: Day 1, Paper session ...IDS Impact Innovation and Learning Workshop March 2013: Day 1, Paper session ...
IDS Impact Innovation and Learning Workshop March 2013: Day 1, Paper session ...Institute of Development Studies
 
IDS Impact, Innovation and Learning Workshop March 2013: Day 2, Keynote 2 Pat...
IDS Impact, Innovation and Learning Workshop March 2013: Day 2, Keynote 2 Pat...IDS Impact, Innovation and Learning Workshop March 2013: Day 2, Keynote 2 Pat...
IDS Impact, Innovation and Learning Workshop March 2013: Day 2, Keynote 2 Pat...Institute of Development Studies
 
Storm in a teacup? Adapting to the impacts of climate change in China
Storm in a teacup? Adapting to the impacts of climate change in ChinaStorm in a teacup? Adapting to the impacts of climate change in China
Storm in a teacup? Adapting to the impacts of climate change in ChinaInstitute of Development Studies
 
IDS Impact, Innovation and Learning Workshop March 2013: Day 2, Paper Session...
IDS Impact, Innovation and Learning Workshop March 2013: Day 2, Paper Session...IDS Impact, Innovation and Learning Workshop March 2013: Day 2, Paper Session...
IDS Impact, Innovation and Learning Workshop March 2013: Day 2, Paper Session...Institute of Development Studies
 

Destaque (16)

IDS Impact, Innovation and Learning Workshop March 2013: Day 2, Paper Session...
IDS Impact, Innovation and Learning Workshop March 2013: Day 2, Paper Session...IDS Impact, Innovation and Learning Workshop March 2013: Day 2, Paper Session...
IDS Impact, Innovation and Learning Workshop March 2013: Day 2, Paper Session...
 
In it for the long term? Governance and learning among Chinese investors in Z...
In it for the long term? Governance and learning among Chinese investors in Z...In it for the long term? Governance and learning among Chinese investors in Z...
In it for the long term? Governance and learning among Chinese investors in Z...
 
Gabriele Koehler SDL Lecture, 12 May 2011
Gabriele Koehler SDL Lecture, 12 May 2011Gabriele Koehler SDL Lecture, 12 May 2011
Gabriele Koehler SDL Lecture, 12 May 2011
 
Decentralization and popular democracy - governance from below in bolivia
Decentralization and popular democracy  - governance from below in boliviaDecentralization and popular democracy  - governance from below in bolivia
Decentralization and popular democracy - governance from below in bolivia
 
Sussex Development Lecture: Salil Shetty
Sussex Development Lecture: Salil ShettySussex Development Lecture: Salil Shetty
Sussex Development Lecture: Salil Shetty
 
The case for and against a financial transaction tax
The case for and against a financial transaction taxThe case for and against a financial transaction tax
The case for and against a financial transaction tax
 
Rebalancing The Macroeconomy for Sustainable Development in Transitional China
Rebalancing The Macroeconomy for Sustainable Development in Transitional ChinaRebalancing The Macroeconomy for Sustainable Development in Transitional China
Rebalancing The Macroeconomy for Sustainable Development in Transitional China
 
Building citizenship in a context of violence
Building citizenship in a context of violenceBuilding citizenship in a context of violence
Building citizenship in a context of violence
 
IDS John Gaventa at World Bank Institute 2010
IDS John Gaventa at World Bank Institute 2010IDS John Gaventa at World Bank Institute 2010
IDS John Gaventa at World Bank Institute 2010
 
Isabel Ortiz - Recovery with a human face
Isabel Ortiz - Recovery with a human faceIsabel Ortiz - Recovery with a human face
Isabel Ortiz - Recovery with a human face
 
IDS Impact Innovation and Learning Workshop March 2013: Day 1, Paper session ...
IDS Impact Innovation and Learning Workshop March 2013: Day 1, Paper session ...IDS Impact Innovation and Learning Workshop March 2013: Day 1, Paper session ...
IDS Impact Innovation and Learning Workshop March 2013: Day 1, Paper session ...
 
Building capacity in nutrition for the health workforce
Building capacity in nutrition for the health workforceBuilding capacity in nutrition for the health workforce
Building capacity in nutrition for the health workforce
 
IDS Impact, Innovation and Learning Workshop March 2013: Day 2, Keynote 2 Pat...
IDS Impact, Innovation and Learning Workshop March 2013: Day 2, Keynote 2 Pat...IDS Impact, Innovation and Learning Workshop March 2013: Day 2, Keynote 2 Pat...
IDS Impact, Innovation and Learning Workshop March 2013: Day 2, Keynote 2 Pat...
 
MDGs: A Race Against Time
MDGs: A Race Against TimeMDGs: A Race Against Time
MDGs: A Race Against Time
 
Storm in a teacup? Adapting to the impacts of climate change in China
Storm in a teacup? Adapting to the impacts of climate change in ChinaStorm in a teacup? Adapting to the impacts of climate change in China
Storm in a teacup? Adapting to the impacts of climate change in China
 
IDS Impact, Innovation and Learning Workshop March 2013: Day 2, Paper Session...
IDS Impact, Innovation and Learning Workshop March 2013: Day 2, Paper Session...IDS Impact, Innovation and Learning Workshop March 2013: Day 2, Paper Session...
IDS Impact, Innovation and Learning Workshop March 2013: Day 2, Paper Session...
 

Semelhante a The politics of Australian Aid Policy

Benchmarks for an effective and accountable australian aid program january2014
Benchmarks for an effective and accountable australian aid program january2014Benchmarks for an effective and accountable australian aid program january2014
Benchmarks for an effective and accountable australian aid program january2014Dr Lendy Spires
 
Policy objectives and international commitments
Policy objectives and international commitmentsPolicy objectives and international commitments
Policy objectives and international commitmentsDr Lendy Spires
 
Presentatie-Nicholas-Awortwi.pptx
Presentatie-Nicholas-Awortwi.pptxPresentatie-Nicholas-Awortwi.pptx
Presentatie-Nicholas-Awortwi.pptxNabiswaboazWangila
 
What should the new government’s top 3 priorities be for the Australian aid p...
What should the new government’s top 3 priorities be for the Australian aid p...What should the new government’s top 3 priorities be for the Australian aid p...
What should the new government’s top 3 priorities be for the Australian aid p...Devex
 
Local Government In Australia
Local Government In AustraliaLocal Government In Australia
Local Government In AustraliaLela Retzlaff
 
The Impact Of Australian Foreign Policy On The...
The Impact Of Australian Foreign Policy On The...The Impact Of Australian Foreign Policy On The...
The Impact Of Australian Foreign Policy On The...Roxy Roberts
 
04. TCI Future Prosperity 2050 (2)
04. TCI Future Prosperity 2050 (2)04. TCI Future Prosperity 2050 (2)
04. TCI Future Prosperity 2050 (2)Richard Plumpton
 
Foreign Aid Conflict
Foreign Aid ConflictForeign Aid Conflict
Foreign Aid ConflictMelissa Gobin
 
Ed Strengthening Community Linkages On Poverty Reduction In Ontario E6
Ed Strengthening Community Linkages On Poverty Reduction In Ontario E6Ed Strengthening Community Linkages On Poverty Reduction In Ontario E6
Ed Strengthening Community Linkages On Poverty Reduction In Ontario E6ocasiconference
 
Strengthening Community Linkages On Poverty Reduction In Ontario
Strengthening Community Linkages On Poverty Reduction In OntarioStrengthening Community Linkages On Poverty Reduction In Ontario
Strengthening Community Linkages On Poverty Reduction In Ontariosettlementatwork
 
Exploring the why, what nd how of nz official development assistance stability
Exploring the why, what nd how of nz official development assistance stabilityExploring the why, what nd how of nz official development assistance stability
Exploring the why, what nd how of nz official development assistance stabilityDr Lendy Spires
 
Gordon Killara Population Profile
Gordon Killara Population ProfileGordon Killara Population Profile
Gordon Killara Population ProfileStephanie Roberts
 
Agricultural-Trade-Facilitation-in-the-Asia-Pacific-Region-Through-the-Use-of...
Agricultural-Trade-Facilitation-in-the-Asia-Pacific-Region-Through-the-Use-of...Agricultural-Trade-Facilitation-in-the-Asia-Pacific-Region-Through-the-Use-of...
Agricultural-Trade-Facilitation-in-the-Asia-Pacific-Region-Through-the-Use-of...Matthew Sinclair
 
Assessment Tools For Aged Care
Assessment Tools For Aged CareAssessment Tools For Aged Care
Assessment Tools For Aged CareMichelle Johnson
 
Donor_Coordination[1]
Donor_Coordination[1]Donor_Coordination[1]
Donor_Coordination[1]Assefa Abebe
 

Semelhante a The politics of Australian Aid Policy (20)

Benchmarks for an effective and accountable australian aid program january2014
Benchmarks for an effective and accountable australian aid program january2014Benchmarks for an effective and accountable australian aid program january2014
Benchmarks for an effective and accountable australian aid program january2014
 
Policy objectives and international commitments
Policy objectives and international commitmentsPolicy objectives and international commitments
Policy objectives and international commitments
 
Foreign aid
Foreign aidForeign aid
Foreign aid
 
Presentatie-Nicholas-Awortwi.pptx
Presentatie-Nicholas-Awortwi.pptxPresentatie-Nicholas-Awortwi.pptx
Presentatie-Nicholas-Awortwi.pptx
 
What should the new government’s top 3 priorities be for the Australian aid p...
What should the new government’s top 3 priorities be for the Australian aid p...What should the new government’s top 3 priorities be for the Australian aid p...
What should the new government’s top 3 priorities be for the Australian aid p...
 
comms.handbook
comms.handbookcomms.handbook
comms.handbook
 
Local Government In Australia
Local Government In AustraliaLocal Government In Australia
Local Government In Australia
 
The Impact Of Australian Foreign Policy On The...
The Impact Of Australian Foreign Policy On The...The Impact Of Australian Foreign Policy On The...
The Impact Of Australian Foreign Policy On The...
 
04. TCI Future Prosperity 2050 (2)
04. TCI Future Prosperity 2050 (2)04. TCI Future Prosperity 2050 (2)
04. TCI Future Prosperity 2050 (2)
 
Foreign Aid Conflict
Foreign Aid ConflictForeign Aid Conflict
Foreign Aid Conflict
 
Ed Strengthening Community Linkages On Poverty Reduction In Ontario E6
Ed Strengthening Community Linkages On Poverty Reduction In Ontario E6Ed Strengthening Community Linkages On Poverty Reduction In Ontario E6
Ed Strengthening Community Linkages On Poverty Reduction In Ontario E6
 
Strengthening Community Linkages On Poverty Reduction In Ontario
Strengthening Community Linkages On Poverty Reduction In OntarioStrengthening Community Linkages On Poverty Reduction In Ontario
Strengthening Community Linkages On Poverty Reduction In Ontario
 
Exploring the why, what nd how of nz official development assistance stability
Exploring the why, what nd how of nz official development assistance stabilityExploring the why, what nd how of nz official development assistance stability
Exploring the why, what nd how of nz official development assistance stability
 
Why Is Foreign Aid Bad
Why Is Foreign Aid BadWhy Is Foreign Aid Bad
Why Is Foreign Aid Bad
 
The principled aid index 2019
The principled aid index 2019The principled aid index 2019
The principled aid index 2019
 
The principled aid index 2019
The principled aid index 2019The principled aid index 2019
The principled aid index 2019
 
Gordon Killara Population Profile
Gordon Killara Population ProfileGordon Killara Population Profile
Gordon Killara Population Profile
 
Agricultural-Trade-Facilitation-in-the-Asia-Pacific-Region-Through-the-Use-of...
Agricultural-Trade-Facilitation-in-the-Asia-Pacific-Region-Through-the-Use-of...Agricultural-Trade-Facilitation-in-the-Asia-Pacific-Region-Through-the-Use-of...
Agricultural-Trade-Facilitation-in-the-Asia-Pacific-Region-Through-the-Use-of...
 
Assessment Tools For Aged Care
Assessment Tools For Aged CareAssessment Tools For Aged Care
Assessment Tools For Aged Care
 
Donor_Coordination[1]
Donor_Coordination[1]Donor_Coordination[1]
Donor_Coordination[1]
 

Mais de Institute of Development Studies

Faculty from University of Mosul and University of Dohuk, Iraq, receive awars
Faculty from University of Mosul and University of Dohuk, Iraq, receive awarsFaculty from University of Mosul and University of Dohuk, Iraq, receive awars
Faculty from University of Mosul and University of Dohuk, Iraq, receive awarsInstitute of Development Studies
 
@Building Political Support for UN HRC Resolution 16/18, Foreign, Commonwealt...
@Building Political Support for UN HRC Resolution 16/18, Foreign, Commonwealt...@Building Political Support for UN HRC Resolution 16/18, Foreign, Commonwealt...
@Building Political Support for UN HRC Resolution 16/18, Foreign, Commonwealt...Institute of Development Studies
 
Sussex Development Lecture - Centre for International Education intro
Sussex Development Lecture - Centre for International Education introSussex Development Lecture - Centre for International Education intro
Sussex Development Lecture - Centre for International Education introInstitute of Development Studies
 
Advancing the frontiers of transparency and accountability in the extractives...
Advancing the frontiers of transparency and accountability in the extractives...Advancing the frontiers of transparency and accountability in the extractives...
Advancing the frontiers of transparency and accountability in the extractives...Institute of Development Studies
 

Mais de Institute of Development Studies (20)

Faculty from University of Mosul and University of Dohuk, Iraq, receive awars
Faculty from University of Mosul and University of Dohuk, Iraq, receive awarsFaculty from University of Mosul and University of Dohuk, Iraq, receive awars
Faculty from University of Mosul and University of Dohuk, Iraq, receive awars
 
Creid pp
Creid ppCreid pp
Creid pp
 
Red wednesday (6)
Red wednesday (6)Red wednesday (6)
Red wednesday (6)
 
Red wednesday (5)
Red wednesday (5)Red wednesday (5)
Red wednesday (5)
 
Red wednesday (4)
Red wednesday (4)Red wednesday (4)
Red wednesday (4)
 
Red wednesday (2)
Red wednesday (2)Red wednesday (2)
Red wednesday (2)
 
Red wednesday (1)
Red wednesday (1)Red wednesday (1)
Red wednesday (1)
 
Red wednesday (3)
Red wednesday (3)Red wednesday (3)
Red wednesday (3)
 
Red wednesday
Red wednesdayRed wednesday
Red wednesday
 
.
..
.
 
@Building Political Support for UN HRC Resolution 16/18, Foreign, Commonwealt...
@Building Political Support for UN HRC Resolution 16/18, Foreign, Commonwealt...@Building Political Support for UN HRC Resolution 16/18, Foreign, Commonwealt...
@Building Political Support for UN HRC Resolution 16/18, Foreign, Commonwealt...
 
@Gabriel Piętka/MSZ CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 -
@Gabriel Piętka/MSZ CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 - @Gabriel Piętka/MSZ CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 -
@Gabriel Piętka/MSZ CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 -
 
Sussex Development Lecture - SPRU intro
Sussex Development Lecture - SPRU introSussex Development Lecture - SPRU intro
Sussex Development Lecture - SPRU intro
 
Sussex Development Lecture - IDS intro
Sussex Development Lecture - IDS introSussex Development Lecture - IDS intro
Sussex Development Lecture - IDS intro
 
Sussex Development Lecture - Global Studies intro
Sussex Development Lecture - Global Studies introSussex Development Lecture - Global Studies intro
Sussex Development Lecture - Global Studies intro
 
Sussex Development Lecture - Centre for International Education intro
Sussex Development Lecture - Centre for International Education introSussex Development Lecture - Centre for International Education intro
Sussex Development Lecture - Centre for International Education intro
 
Advancing the frontiers of transparency and accountability in the extractives...
Advancing the frontiers of transparency and accountability in the extractives...Advancing the frontiers of transparency and accountability in the extractives...
Advancing the frontiers of transparency and accountability in the extractives...
 
The SDGs: A new politics of transformation?
The SDGs: A new politics of transformation?The SDGs: A new politics of transformation?
The SDGs: A new politics of transformation?
 
Climate and development: A tale of two crises
Climate and development: A tale of two crisesClimate and development: A tale of two crises
Climate and development: A tale of two crises
 
Climate and development: A tale of two crises
Climate and development: A tale of two crisesClimate and development: A tale of two crises
Climate and development: A tale of two crises
 

The politics of Australian Aid Policy

  • 1. IDS Guest Seminar: The Politics of Australian Aid Policy Andrew Rosser Visiting Fellow in the Governance team at IDS and Australian Research Council Future Fellow at the University of Adelaide 19 September 2012 Institute of Development Studies
  • 2. Introduction • Questions: – What are the main determinants of Australian aid policy? – Who are the key actors involved in making Australian aid policy? – What have been the key political issues in Australian aid policy in recent years and how have these been resolved? – What will Australian aid policy look like in the future?
  • 3. Primer on Australian Politics  Federal and state governments: aid is a federal issue  Bicameral parliamentary system: House of Representatives plus Senate.  different voting systems  Political parties:  Major parties: Australian Labor Party and the Liberal- National Coalition.  Minor political parties (e.g. Greens) and independents, mainly (but not only) in the Senate.
  • 4.  Recent federal governments:  Hawke-Keating Labor (1983-1996)  Howard Coalition (1996-2007)  Rudd-Gillard Labor (2007-present)  since 2010 a minority government  Abbott Coalition (2013-onward)??
  • 5. Main Determinants of Australian Aid Policy  Structural  Structural power of capital has predisposed the Australian government, regardless of whether it has been led by the ALP or the Coalition, towards neoliberal policies. This has extended to the area of aid policy sector, notwithstanding the fact that it is relatively low profile.
  • 6.  Institutional  AusAID is an ‘autonomous’ agency within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and there is no separate Minister for Overseas Development.  So aid policy tends to be heavily influenced by foreign policy concerns.
  • 7.  Aid policy-making has been an executive dominated process  It has taken the form of Ministerial Statements to parliament, statements in budget papers, White Papers etc. rather than laws.  So the government of the day has been able to more or less hand-pick who writes Australian aid policy. The opposition and the minor political parties (e.g. Greens) haven’t gotten a look in.
  • 8. • Foreign Policy Differences Between Major Parties – Generally, Australian foreign policy has been characterised by a high degree of bipartisanship. However: • ‘The ALP has always seen itself as more open to multilateral and ‘idealistic’ influences in foreign policy’ while the Coalition has presented itself as more concerned with promoting Australia’s national interests, in accordance with realist thinking in IR (Dalrymple 2003)
  • 9.  In aid policy, this has meant:  greater willingness to deliver aid through and engage with multilaterals (in particular the UN) under the ALP than the Coalition  greater willingness to broaden the geographic orientation of the aid program to countries outside Australia’s immediate region under the ALP than the Coalition;  greater emphasis on the need for Australian aid policy to serve the ‘national interest’ under the Coalition than the ALP; ALP by contrast emphasises being ‘a good international citizen’.
  • 10.  International Trends in Aid Policy  Australia has tended to be a follower rather than a leader in the production of development policy ideas  World Bank and DFID in particular have been key reference points  Disability has been an exception
  • 11.  Geo-political/economic Context  Growing levels of affluence in Asia  end of India and China bilateral aid programs  increased concern with promoting development in middle- income countries  Competition from new donors
  • 12. Key Actors • The broad parameters of Australian aid policy have historically been mapped out during major reviews of the aid program: – Jackson review: 1983 – Simons review: 1996 – White Paper: 2006 – Independent Review of Aid Effectiveness: 2011 • Key actors in these reviews: – Orthodox economists – Representatives from the business community – DFAT and NGOs much less involved
  • 13. Key Issues  Objective of the aid program  The issue: the relative emphasis on ‘national interest’ vs. poverty-related concerns.  Downer (1997): the objective of the aid program is ‘to advance Australia’s national interest by assisting developing countries to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development’.
  • 14. – ALP (2011): ‘The fundamental purpose of Australian aid is to help people overcome poverty. This also serves Australia’s national interest by promoting stability both in our region and beyond. We focus our efforts in areas where Australia can make a difference and where our resources can most efficiently and effectively be deployed’ • What status do the MDGs have in Australian aid policy?
  • 15. Australian ODA: 1972-2007 0.6 0.5 0.4 Aid as % GNI 0.3 0.2 0.1 0 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004
  • 16.  Size of aid budget  There has been bipartisan commitment to increased aid.  In 2005, PM Howard announced a doubling of the Australian aid program by 2010.  In the run-up to the 2007 election, the ALP announced that aid would increase to 0.5 of 1% of GNI, a commitment the Coalition subsequently matched
  • 17.  But this commitment has proven hard to keep  Looking to shore up its economic credentials, the Gillard government announced in 2012 that it would delay achievement of the 0.5 target by one year.  The Coalition has indicated a willingness to cut aid when it is politically expedient.  e.g. proposal to cut Indonesian schools program following QLD floods.
  • 18.  Geographical focus  There is bipartisan commitment to a focus on the Asia- Pacific  But aid spending on sub-Saharan Africa has been ramped up dramatically in recent years  also Latin America but to a much lesser extent.  But how far can this go?  The Coalition has indicated some doubt about this shift.
  • 19.  Sectoral focus  Growth vs. education and environment  Aid delivery mechanisms
  • 21. If Abbott, Then What?  Ideological orientation of aid program  unlikely to change dramatically but possibly some scepticism towards whatever replaces the MDGs  Objective of the aid program  likely to be a reassertion of ‘national interest’ concerns
  • 22.  Size of the aid budget  The Coalition is formally committed to the 0.5 target.  But it will almost certainly be looking to make cuts to government spending if it wins office  My guess is that, in the absence of a major economic downturn, the Coalition will meet the 0.5 and the out things on hold for a while. Thereafter, they’ll follow international trends
  • 23.  Geographical orientation of the aid program  aid to Africa likely to stay because  of concerns about reputational damage if it withdraws and  growing wealth in Asia. The latter raises very difficult questions about how Australia engages with Asia and the role of aid in this process.  This issue has already been discussed at the Shadow cabinet table  but.......
  • 24.  Institutional  Current coalition policy is to create new Ministerial appointment in Overseas Aid (not clear if senior or junior) but not upgrade AusAID to department status  Sectoral focus  Reassertion of economic growth