Parliamentary committee inquiries into the Australian aid program over the last decade have been few and far between, even as the aid program has grown massively. A parliamentary committee or subcommittee could improve parliamentary oversight of the Australian aid program and deliver a number of benefits.
I co-authored a policy brief with Stephen Howes on this topic for the Development Policy Centre in November 2013.
Download policy brief [pdf].
Just as the US is pushing to reform its long criticised food aid program, Queensland graziers and Victorian stonefruit growers are calling on the Australian government to purchase and send surplus livestock and agricultural products to developing countries in the name of ‘helping’ – and their idea is being backed by some federal MPs.
Ashlee Betteridge writes on why these suggestions are such a bad idea for aid effectiveness.
There’s a strong and welcome trend toward appointing the leaders of major international organisations through competitive processes-except in Asia.
The Asian Development Bank, whose president has just stepped down to head Japan’s central bank, looks set to appoint its new president just as it has always done: in a hurry, behind closed doors, without competition, and from Japan.
Opinion piece by Stephen Howes, Robin Davies and Ashlee Betteridge from the Development Policy Centre on a lack of transparency in the leadership selection process at the Asian Development Bank.
Full piece published in AsiaOne Business, China Daily, East Asia Forum and the Australian Financial Review.