rp21 situational analysis - Pacific Health Voices

2.6 Australian involvement
In the interests of aid harmonisation, the
Australian Government has opted to provide
aid to the Cook Islands by way of an annual
contribution to management and implementation
costs of the program managed
by NZAID. During 2008–09 Australia’s total
overseas development assistance to the Cook
Islands is estimated to be AU$5.1 million,
including bilateral (approx. AU$2.7 million)
and other programs. 183 The Cook Islands is
also a part of Pacific Regional Programs to
which the Australian Government provides a
significant contribution. 184 Notably, the Cook
Islands participates in the Pacific Patrol Boat
Program, including provision of a patrol boat
in 1989 and a life extension upgrade for
boats in 2006. 185
Australian Agency for
International Development
AusAID’s contributions to the Cook Islands
development program support health and governance
activities. Details of the Joint Country
Strategy are outlined below in section 2.7
(International involvement) of the report.
Australian non-government
organisations
No Australian NGO programs in the Cook
Islands have been identified. 186
2.7 International
involvement
New Zealand
The Cook Islands Joint Country Strategy
2008–2017 is a cooperation agreement between
the Cook Islands Government, NZAID
and AusAID. 187 The strategy reflects the Cook
Islands NSDP. New Zealand and Australia
have identified four focus areas including:
investing in people; good governance; sustainable
livelihoods; and economic growth
and infrastructure. New Zealand is the
main contributor to the strategy allocating
NZ$9 million, with Australia contributing
AU$2.6 million. 188
The program funds visits by medical specialists
and additional future support will be
considered, potentially providing an opportunity
to support the local development of
drug and alcohol interventions. The strategy
has also supported governance programs,
including strengthening legislation and law
enforcement around money laundering and
public sector reforms. A plan to undertake
an impact study on current community sector
programs, funded under the Small Grants
Scheme, may provide avenues for future
investment in drug and alcohol services.
43
183 Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade above, fn.18, compared to the
Cook Islands Joint Country Strategy 2008–2017; figure is quoted as NZ$1.7 million.
184 See section 1 of this report (Regional overview) for further detail on this program.
185 Ibid.
186 Australian Council for International Development: (accessed May
2009).
187 NZAID (2007), Cook Islands Joint Country Strategy (JCS) 2008–2017 Information Paper.
Available at: .
188 Subject to parliamentary approval.
Cook Islands