Joint Media Release
12 May, 2009
Foreign Affairs and Trade Portfolio - Budget 2009-10
The Rudd Government today announces a range of measures in the 2009-10 Budget to advance Australia's national interests and to protect Australians abroad.
The Government will provide increased resources for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to advance Australia's national security and prosperity.
This represents an important step in taking forward the commitment, outlined in the Prime Minister's First National Security Statement in December 2008, to resource Australia's foreign service for the challenges facing Australia amid uncertain global conditions.
The Budget includes $106.5 million over four years to:
- strengthen the vital contribution of diplomacy to national security;
- advance Australia's economic well-being through trade; and
- protect Australians abroad.
In addition, the Government will provide $106.0 million over four years to enhance national security and commercial interests through further engagement with countries and regions of growing economic, security and strategic importance for Australia including India, Pakistan, Africa and Latin America.
This reflects the Government's commitment to take India to the front rank of Australia's international relationships and to expand and enhance relations with countries in Africa and Latin America. It also reflects the importance for Australia's security of growth and long-term stability in Pakistan.
The Government will also provide $10.9 million over four years to enable DFAT to better coordinate the diplomatic and civilian aspects of Australia's growing and complex whole-of-government engagement in Afghanistan.
In recognition of the enduring threat posed by terrorism, the Government will provide $28.1 million to DFAT over three years from 2010-11 to continue Australia's international counter-terrorism activities, with a primary focus on the South-East Asian region.
Given the evolving threat from terrorism, the Government will also provide $54.2 million over four years to protect staff at Australian diplomatic and consular posts through enhanced security arrangements.
The Budget also provides additional funding for the construction of new Australian Embassies in Jakarta and Bangkok in more secure locations. The Government will also provide $3.0 million in 2009-10 for a feasibility study and planning towards an Australian Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan.
$3.8 million over two years will build on the considerable progress already achieved in implementing the Government's objective of enhancing relations with Pacific island countries, in line with the Prime Minister's 'Port Moresby Declaration' of March 2008. DFAT will also receive $29.0 million over four years to continue its role in the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI).
Additional resourcing of $9.7 million over two years will strengthen DFAT's contribution to efforts to combat people smuggling in South and South-East Asia, including through reinvigorating the Bali Process on People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons and Related Transnational Crime.
Underlining its commitment to reinvigorate Australia's engagement with the multilateral system, the Government will provide $11.2 million over two years to continue Australia's campaign to win election to a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the term 2013-14.
The Government will also provide $1.4 million over three years to enable Australia to host the 35th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting in 2012, reflecting Australia's strong support for the Antarctic Treaty.
The 2009-10 Budget will provide $9.2 million over two years for intensified Australian efforts to strengthen nuclear non-proliferation and to advance nuclear disarmament efforts.
The Government will provide $0.4 million over two years to replace ageing stocks of anti-viral medication and antibiotics for use by staff at high-risk posts overseas in the event of a pandemic outbreak of influenza, including avian or swine influenza. This will enable posts to maintain the delivery of critical Australian Government services in affected locations.
The Budget provides $14.9 million over three years for Austrade to implement the Government's commitment to a Clean Energy Trade and Investment Strategy. This initiative will assist Australian businesses to respond to the new opportunities being created by climate change policies globally.
The Government will also make available through the Budget an additional $50 million in 2008-09 for the Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) scheme, administered by Austrade, to help small and medium sized Australian businesses maintain market share overseas and support Australian jobs.
The 2009-10 Budget also underlines the Government's ongoing commitment to increase Australia's official development assistance (ODA) to 0.5 per cent of Gross National Income (GNI) by 2015-16, and to respond to the needs of developing countries adversely affected by the impacts of the global recession.
Australia's ODA/GNI ratio is forecast to increase to 0.34 per cent in 2009-10, up from 0.33 per cent in 2008-09. It is expected to reach 0.40 per cent in 2012-13.
New ODA Budget measures focus on food security, economic infrastructure, development progress in the Pacific, government accountability, development in Afghanistan and Pakistan, Australia's commitment to Africa and South Asia and increased support for the Asian Development Bank to assist in restoring economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region.
These measures are directed towards responding to the needs of developing countries and communities adversely affected by the global recession and continuing food insecurity and to supporting longer-term development and capacity building efforts. These measures will help to support economic growth and stability, in particular in our nearest neighbours.
Media Inquiries: Mr Crean's office 02 6277 7420 - Departmental Media Liaison 02 6261 1555