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Policy and Advocacy

ACFID advocates to the Australian government and parliament for a compassionate and high impact development cooperation and humanitarian assistance program for Australia. ACFID advocates for international development policy and practice that is responsive to its context, based on partner country needs, takes account of what works, and is founded on internationally agreed norms for sustainable development, human rights, and open and inclusive societies.

Policy Briefs

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New Development Policy 2023

Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced that the Government would be designing a new policy for Australia’s development cooperation program and humanitarian assistance. ACFID convened members member organisations to develop policies and helped provide additional support, as well as submitted our own submission.

Read about our work on the New Development Policy 2022

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ACFID 2023-24 Federal Budget Front Cover. Features an image from PNG of men painting a mural

ACFID’s 2023-24 Federal Budget Analysis

ACFID has released our annual analysis of the Federal Budget as it relates to the development program. While the Budget for 23-24 contains only modest immediate measures aimed at boosting ODA, ACFID recognises the Government is devoted to sequenced increases of 2.5...

A quote from Marc Purcell on the 23/24 Federal Budget: The Government’s stabilisation of the aid program has come not a moment too soon. Australia has descended to nearly the bottom of the OECD donor ladder over the last few years. And will continue to do so unless there are substantial investments in future budgets'

Aid Budget: Slow, But Steady

The Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) welcomes the 2023-24 Federal Budget’s measures towards improving Official Development Assistance, describing them as “responsible and sustainable.” While the Budget contains only modest immediate measures...

Aid Sector Welcomes $6m for Sudan; Urges an Amplified Australian Response

Australia’s international aid and humanitarian sector has welcomed the Australian Government’s announcement over the weekend of an initial $6 million in emergency funding to assist the people of Sudan, which is currently in the grips of a deadly civil conflict. ...

Peace must remain central to Australia’s defence purpose: aid sector

The Australian government has today released its long-awaited Defence Strategic Review. In acknowledging the document, the Australian international development sector wants to remind stakeholders that the ultimate goal of Australia's Defence program must remain the...

International development sector concerned about drop in Australia’s OECD DAC ranking 

The Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) is concerned that Australia has fallen further down the global development assistance ladder, sitting at 27th out of 30 member states in new data released by the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC)...

Same Space – Different Mandates

Same Space – Different Mandates A Civil-Military-Police Guide for Stakeholders in International Disaster and Conflict Response Same Space – Different Mandates aims to improve the collective understanding of civil, military and police stakeholders responding to...

Sandra Hamid, Democracy Advocate, Jakarta on Reimagining Development

On Southeast Asia, with Sandra Hamid

Australia is recognising the importance and relevance of Southeast Asia, with a DFAT Office of Southeast Asia and a standalone Southeast Asia Economic Strategy in the works. ODA reflects this region as a priority, with an additional $470m announced in the...

Kristy Graham, Executive Officer of the Australian Sustainable Financial Institute

How to Spend It, Private Sector Style, with Kristy Graham

The private sector is increasingly becoming a player in the development space. Whether through the provision of grants or becoming directly involved in the provision of essential services or investments in sustainability, the private sector has an increasing interest...

A smiling woman in a green shirt hands out medication at a pharmacy.

ACFID welcomes Australia’s $620m health package for Southeast Asia and the Pacific

The Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) applauds the Government's announcement this morning of a comprehensive package of funding for health services in the Pacific and Southeast Asia. 'Partnerships for a Healthy Region', worth $620 million,...

Looking Across the Ditch – Reimagining Development Podcast

In so many ways, New Zealand is nimble, creative and progressive. For that reason, looking across the ditch for ideas and inspiration is of great benefit to Australia - in this case, in how to redesign a development program that is fit for purpose. New Zealand...

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