Inquiry into the strategic effectiveness and outcomes of Australia’s aid program in the Indo-Pacific and its role in supporting Australia's regional interests

The Committee shall inquire into the implementation and efficacy of:

• increased private sector and trade development outcomes;
• increased emphasis on outcomes for women and girls; and
• innovation in Australia's aid program.

This follows the introduction of Australia's aid policy Australian aid: promoting prosperity, reducing poverty, enhancing stability and the aid performance framework, Making Performance Count: enhancing the accountability and effectiveness of Australian aid in 2014.

The Committee will have specific regard to the role, implementation, efficacy, impact, outcomes and/or evaluation of:

• Australia's aid program in terms of strategic and development goals;
• the role Australia's aid program plays in building influence as a trusted development partner;
• Australia's aid program in fostering confidence, stability, sustainability, capacity, community-determined goals and best outcomes, particularly by utilising local procurement and smaller/local entities;
• innovation in Australia's aid program through the innovationXchange;
• the Aid for Trade program, including a re-examination of the target percentage;
• the role and integration of cooperation chapters in free trade agreements;
• increasing the participation and engagement of women in private sector development opportunities;
• business partnerships, social enterprise and community investment in delivering development outcomes, with a focus on local entities; and
• the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) in delivering development outcomes, particularly with regard to the linkages between food security, biosecurity and national security issues.