Transparency in the Australian aid program

Media release

Canberra

23 November 2011

Australia has today strengthened its commitment to effective and transparent aid with the online publication of detailed information on the work of Australia's aid program.

Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd today launched a Transparency Charter for the Australian Aid Program in a statement to Parliament on the work to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the aid program.

"Australians should have confidence their tax dollars are making a real difference in the lives of people in need around the world," Mr Rudd said.

"The Charter will make Australia one of the most transparent aid donors in the world."

AusAID will begin publishing online detailed, up-to-date information on what the aid program is achieving through its country programs, beginning with Vanuatu and the Philippines. It includes access to more than 150 policy, design, review, evaluation and other reports on aid to these two countries. Information on all country programs will be in this format by the end of 2012.

Under the Transparency Charter, AusAID will also routinely publish internal audit reports once completed, beginning with four today from Papua New Guinea, Vietnam, Fiji and Kiribati.

This initiative follows the Independent Review of Aid Effectiveness and the launch of the Government's aid policy in July this year, An Effective Aid Program for Australia: Making a real difference - Delivering real results.

"The Government intends to be upfront with the Australian public as to what has gone right, what might have gone wrong and what needs to be improved," Mr Rudd said.

"We are committed to ensuring that the beneficiaries of Australia's aid know that the money is being spent effectively, achieving results and helping people to overcome poverty - the fundamental purpose of Australian aid."

The Transparency Charter for the Australian Aid Program is available on the AusAID website.

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