International development agency Oxfam Australia welcomes the Australian Government’s announcement of a Transparency Charter for Australia’s aid program.
Oxfam Australia believes transparency is critical to ensuring the integrity and effectiveness of Australia’s efforts to reduce poverty, and that Australia is taking a lead with this announcement.
Oxfam Australia Executive Director Andrew Hewett said: “It’s important for Australians to know exactly how their money is being spent to help lift people out of poverty.
“With more information, Australian taxpayers – and the people of poor countries that receive our aid – can better assess if Australia’s aid money is being spent where it will have the best possible impact.”
The Transparency Charter will make Australia’s aid agency, AusAID, more accountable to taxpayers and Parliament.
Greater transparency on how and why AusAID engages with Australian companies, private contractors and non-government organisations will also increase public understanding of how aid money is distributed through a number of channels – and across a range of projects.
Mr Hewett said the announcement of the Transparency Charter was particularly welcome given a major global conference on aid effectiveness will be held in Busan, South Korea, next week.
“At Busan, world leaders will make a new international agreement on aid effectiveness, and transparency will be a key issue on the agenda,” Mr Hewett said.
“This announcement sets a good standard for other nations to follow.”
Australia is already a key player in the International Aid Transparency Initiative, which seeks to make information about aid spending easier to access and understand.
For interviews or more information contact Oxfam Australia Media Coordinator Chee Chee Leung on 0400 732 795 or cheecheel@oxfam.org.au
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