By PNG correspondent Liam Fox, ABC News
There are calls for a major overhaul of Australia's $400 million
aid program in Papua New Guinea, after a review concluded more than half of the
money was spent on "technical assistance".
Australia is PNG's biggest aid donor and the joint review of the
PNG-Australia Development Treaty says there have been some successes, like
improving roads and tackling the HIV-AIDS epidemic.
But it has found widespread dissatisfaction in both countries and says the
status quo cannot continue.
Australia's aid agency AusAID has been heavily criticised recently amid
revelations it is paying some consultants six-figure tax-free salaries to
provide technical assistance.
The review says overall the practice has made little difference to life in
PNG and this method of capacity building does not work.
The review found Australian aid was being spread too thinly across too many
areas and recommended a focus on improving education.
It recommends a reduction in the amount of money spent on technical
assistance and says AusAID could do more to reduce the cost of hiring
consultants.
The review also says non-government organisations - such as church groups
and the health sector - should be given a greater role in delivering aid.
World Vision Australia chief executive Tim Costello says non-government aid
organisations are better equipped to help Papua New Guinea.
"What we know about effectiveness in aid is that it is always about
relationships, staying there a long time, winning the community trust, getting
to the poorest and most vulnerable - not the fly in, fly out high-level stuff
that's happening," he said.
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