Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has fallen to 41st out of 50 in the latest Aid Transparency Index, which measures foreign-aid provision.
The biennial Index, compiled by UK-based NGO Publish What You Fund, shows DFAT’s aid transparency declined from ‘good’ to ‘fair’ over the past four years, as Australia’s contribution dropped from 23rd place in 2018.
- Graph Courtesy of Publish What You Fund (CC 3.0)
“This is a worrying trend, as it is vital that there is transparency around where aid money is spent,” said Marc Purcell, CEO of the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID).
“Taxpayers need to know that their money is being spent appropriately and efficiently, and that there is accountability.”
Australia is the only country in the ‘fair’ or ‘poor’ categories, declining in two consecutive reports.
- Graph Courtesy of Publish What You Fund (CC 3.0)
DFAT joins a growing number of foreign aid-provision agencies the index indicates are at risk of falling into the ‘poor’ category in the next report. Also at such risk are Japan’s International Cooperation Agency and The Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation.
The report found organisations like DFAT have shown a “lack of concerted effort”, and suggested that without systemic and cultural change, they are unlikely to improve.
ACFID has welcomed comments by federal ministers Penny Wong and Pat Conroy saying the Albanese government plans to rebuild Australia’s international development program, including taking measures to improve aid transparency and accountability.
“A high level of transparency builds confidence in the overall aid program. Transparency is also key to measuring effectiveness,” Purcell said.
The full report is available here.
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