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A large part of ACFID's work involves representing the interests of the non-profit aid sector to the Australian Government. This includes making representations on behalf of individual members and lobbying on high level issues such as aid effectiveness and trade justice. ACFID works closely with the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) to ensure the effective operation of AusAID's NGO programs. It is also involved in regular dialogue with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Department of Defence, Treasury and a range of other government bodies on development issues.
Aid Budget Each year, ACFID prepares a comprehensive submission to the Federal Treasury on aid aspects of the following year's budget. This pre-budget submission presents the NGO sector's views on how and where the government should spend the billions of dollars of Offical Development Assistance budgeted each year. When the government delivers its budget in May, ACFID issues a post-budget analysis on aid expenditure which is made available at Resources - Papers.
AusAID liaison ACFID plays an important role in the NGO component of the Australian aid program. It coordinates NGO input to AusAID country strategies and sectoral policies, informs the NGO sector on AusAID funding opportunities, assists with the selection process for NGO cooperation agreements and sits as an observer on the joint AusAID-NGO Committee for Development Cooperation. In addition, ACFID provides individual advice to members on issues such as AusAID accreditation, OAGDS tax deductability and the operation of the AusAID-NGO Cooperation Program. For example, ACFID can assist members with AusAID accreditation through advice on accreditation requirements and assistance with the preparation of necessary documentation.
Trade Trade justice is an essential pillar in the fight against global poverty. Developing countries have consistently had access to agricultural and other markets in the developed world blocked, while themselves facing pressure for rapid liberalisation of their economies. ACFID lobbies the Australian Government to take approriate account of developing country interests when formulating Australian trade policy, for example ensuring that developing countries are allowed adequate safeguards to protect essential food crops and public services against unfair competition.
ACFID is represented on the Trade Minister's Advisory Council and participates in the trade advocacy work of the Make Poverty History Coalition and the Australian Fair Trade and Investment Network. It has produced a factsheet on international trade justice in association with the Australian Collaboration.
Human rights Human rights and development are closely related fields. Supression of civil and political rights is often accompanied by poor access to services and economic opportunities. Good development practice promotes both improved livelihoods and the empowerment of communities to demand better governance. ACFID is part of the Australian Forum of Human Rights Organisations and participates in the regular NGO consultations on human rights hosted by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. It advocates with government for the adoption of a rights-based model of development, and for greater action on a range of human rights concerns in our region that prevent sustainable development from taking place.
See also: ACFID Human Rights Project
NGOs and counter-terrorism legislation DFAT Consolidated List The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade maintains a list of individuals and organisations associated with terrorism (the Consolidated List). Under Australian law, it is illegal to provide direct or indirect support for terrorism, and so it is important that Australian NGOs make reference to this list when forming partnerships overseas. The LinkMatchLite software is designed to assist asset holders in finding possible matches between their clients and names on the Consolidated List.
Attorney-General’s Department List of Terrorist Organisations The Attorney-General’s Department maintains a List of Terrorist Organisations which have been proscribed by the Government as terrorist organisations under Division 102 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.
Guidelines to safeguard non-profit organisations against terrorism financing In July 2009, the Government released new guidelines to safeguard non-profit organisations against terrorism financing. Safeguarding your organisation against terrorism financing: A guidance for non-profit organisations aims to build awareness of the risk of being misused for terrorism financing, outline best practice principles which NPOs can undertake to reduce this risk and assist charities understand and comply with legal requirements in relation to terrorism financing.
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