Australia’s "New Aid Paradigm": Beyond ODA?

Since 2013 the Australian Government has transformed Australian overseas aid. Aid has been redirected, to serve national interests first, poverty reduction second. Aid is distributed directly by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Aid programs are geared to ‘economic diplomacy’ over aid effectiveness. Aid funds are dubbed ‘aid investment’, not ‘Official Development Assistance’. There is no target to increase aid, and it is a regular source of budget cuts. Aid is at its lowest level in relation to national income since the early 1970s. As aid is discredited, re-channelled and cut, it is losing public support. The chapter argues new paradigm for aid is needed, grounded in human solidarity not national interest