The latest Aid Transparency Index has revealed that the transparency around Australia’s aid funds remains on the decline.
The Index, compiled biennially by UK NGO ‘Publish What You Fund’ and released yesterday, shows that Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is 41 on a list of 50 donor countries and organisations.
In the last report in 2020, DFAT ranked 34th of 47 organisations, while in 2018 it came in at 23rd on a list of 45.
DFAT – which has responsibility over Australian aid – scored 41.9 percent in 2022, down 9.9 percentage points from the previous survey in 2020.
“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.
“Taxpayers need to know that their money is being spent appropriately and efficiently, and that there is accountability.
“A high level of transparency builds confidence in the overall aid program. Transparency is also key to measuring effectiveness,” said Purcell.
ACFID has welcomed comments by 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.
ACFID calls on the Albanese Government to ensure that this decline in transparency is urgently addressed.
The 2022 index identified the African Development Bank’s sovereign portfolio as the most transparent organisation, and the World Bank, Gavi and Unicef all scored high.
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