Policy framework

It enables the movement of people and goods, and provides access to local and global markets, as well as health, education, water, energy and communications services.

Without adequate infrastructure, countries are unable to fulfil their economic potential and benefits of growth are not spread to poorer and more remote areas.

The 2017 Foreign Policy White Paper notes the ‘massive and wide-ranging’ infrastructure needs of our region. Australia has an interest in this infrastructure being developed responsibly in line with agreed international principles, consistent with robust social and environmental safeguards and maximising development impact.

The Australian Government’s development policy, Partnerships for Recovery – Australia’s COVID-19 Development Response, and performance framework outline Australia’s approach to tackling COVID-19 in our region.

The AIFFP forms an important part of Australia’s COVID-19 recovery efforts in the region by funding climate-resilient infrastructure projects that support sustainable economic growth and local employment.

The AIFFP’s overarching objective is to advance Australia’s national interests by contributing to a stable, secure and prosperous Pacific. The AIFFP has three high level outcomes, which together contribute to this objective.

• Pacific countries and Timor-Leste have increased access to capital to support quality, resilient and inclusive economic infrastructure
• Australia delivers infrastructure financing that meets the development needs of Pacific countries and Timor-Leste
• Australia is the partner of choice for financing infrastructure in the Pacific and Timor-Leste

For information on monitoring and evaluation against these objectives, see further information here.