Engaging with our region and beyond

Securing Australia's interests abroad

An effective international diplomatic presence reinforces national security and enhances our prosperity.

The Government will provide $52.6 million over five years to fund new diplomatic posts in China and Senegal to support trade, investment and diplomacy in strategic locations.

Funding will also be provided to continue our diplomatic presence and political engagement in Afghanistan during the handover of security responsibility to the Afghan Government.

Providing assistance in our region and beyond

The Government will provide $5.2 billion in 2012‑13 to assist development in our region and beyond.

This includes $384.5 million over four years to the Pacific to increase rates of child immunisation and improve access to education.

A further $208.6 million over four years will be provided to improve development outcomes in East Asia, including expanded assistance to Burma and Cambodia for programs addressing maternal and child health and for climate change mitigation programs in Vietnam.

Growing Australia's foreign aid budget

We are continuing to increase our ODA but will delay meeting our 0.5 per cent ODA to Gross National Income (GNI) target by one year to 2016‑17. This will contribute to broader government savings.

Importantly, our aid will still grow every year and remain on track to double between 2007‑08 and 2014‑15.

Australia's projected ODA contribution could see Australia rank as high as sixth in the OECD's ODA donor ranking by 2015‑16, up from tenth in 2011.