CANBERRA — The expert panel reviewing Australia’s new international development policy has a tough task ahead. Submissions from NGOs, research institutes, partner governments, and the private sector have presented the panel with a range of conflicting calls to consider as they make recommendations to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Australian government.
From the budget to the region and the sectoral priorities, the submissions provide a range of diverse recommendations reflecting the priorities of the authors.
Australia’s leadership, including Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Minister for International Development and the Pacific Alex Hawke, has continued to discuss the fact that the Australian aid budget will not be expanding. Among submissions was an acceptance of the fact that budget limitations would exist.