Media release

with the Hon Simon Crean MP, Minister for Trade

13 May 2008

Delivering on Election Commitments - Budget 2008-09

The Government has funded a range of new measures to deliver on its election commitments in the areas of international affairs, development assistance and trade.

Measures contained in the 2008-09 Budget give effect to the Government’s election commitments to address climate change adaptation needs, to establish Australian leadership on disability and eliminating avoidable blindness and to improve access to clean water and sanitation. 

The 2008-09 Budget also represents the first step in delivering on the Government’s long-term commitment to increase Australia’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) to 0.5 per cent of Gross National Income (GNI) by 2015-16. ODA will total $3.7 billion in 2008-09, increasing Australia’s ratio of ODA to GNI to 0.32 per cent - higher than at any stage since 1995-96. 

The Government undertook during the election campaign to revitalise the Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) scheme, as part of its plan to renew and reinvigorate Australia’s export policies and programs. To take this commitment forward, the Government will provide an additional $50 million to the scheme in 2009-10. This increased funding will ensure the scheme is able to provide greater support to Australian exporters entering new markets.

The Government has also delivered on its election commitment to end the previous government’s ‘Pacific Solution’ policy. In consultation with the Governments of Nauru and Papua New Guinea, the Australian Government closed the Offshore Processing Centres on Nauru and Manus Island, Papua New Guinea, on 31 March 2008. 

Media inquiries: Mr Smith's office 02 6277 7500 - Departmental Media Liaison 02 6261 1555