rp21 situational analysis - Pacific Health Voices

8.6 Australian involvement
It is estimated that the value of the Australian
Country Program for Niue is AU$1.6 million
for 2008–09, with the total overseas development
assistance benefits at AU$2.73 million.
In the past, Australia has come to the
aid of Niue in emergency situations, with an
Australian Defence Force field hospital and
AU$200 000 in relief provided in the wake
of Cyclone Heath. 484
Australian Agency for
International Development
The focus of AusAID’s bilateral aid is promotion
of economic development and growth,
as well as an increase in self-reliance.
In addition, Australia is a joint signatory with
New Zealand and Niue to the Niue International
Trust Fund (NITF) Deed, signed at the
Pacific Islands Forum in Suva, Fiji.
The aim of the NITF, in operation since 2006,
is to provide a long-term, dependable revenue
stream for the Government of Niue, to meet
the objectives of self-reliance and decreased
dependency on official development assistance.
485 AusAID reports that prior to 2006
Australia had contributed approximately
AU$5.5 million to the New Zealand-managed
Niue Trust Fund Account, until the full implementation
of the NITF. Furthermore, Australia
intends to gradually transfer its bilateral aid
allocation to Trust Fund contributions in the
future. Until such time, Australia will continue
to support bilateral aid activities in education
scholarships and human resource development.
There are no specific law enforcement
or health programs identified as priorities for
Australia in Niue.
Australian non-government
organisations
No Australian NGO programs for Niue have
been identified during the course of this
review. This is an area for further exploration
with key informants. Key informants have
reported no drug and alcohol interventions
supported by NGOs in their written responses.
103
484 January 2004 funding was for essential medical infrastructure, equipment and emergency
staffing, and other minor equipment.
485 Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Niue Country Brief, available
at: (accessed March 2009).
Niue