Ursula Stephens (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Brandis. AusAID's guiding principles for Australia's aid program state:

… that access to family planning is one of the most cost effective approaches to reducing maternal and child mortality.

Will the government's $4.5 billion cut to the aid program reduce Australia's assistance for family planning in developing countries?

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Stephens for the question. As you know, the government is currently considering Australia's funding priorities. An announcement will be made in due course as a result of that review; however, I am able to inform the honourable senator that the government has no plans to change the current policy settings in relation to reproductive health. The government remains committed to supporting global efforts to reduce the unmet need for quality reproductive health services. At the recent Asian and Pacific Population Conference in September of this year, shortly after the change of government, Australia supported an outcome declaration that upholds women's sexual and reproductive health rights and access to services. The government has no intention of changing that position.

Ursula Stephens (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. I thank the minister for that answer. Can he advise what the status is of Australia's Global Ambassador for Women and Girls? Is that position safe from the coalition cuts? If so, when will the government announce the new ambassador?

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Stephens. As I said in preface to the senator's principal question, the government is reconsidering aid priorities and any announcements will be made in due course.

Ursula Stephens (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you. We will await the announcements in due course. Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. Can the minister advise what, if any, countries may have been quarantined from reductions in Australian aid and what, if any, programs have been quarantined in the search for those $4.5 billion in cuts?

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Stephens, the government is reviewing the entirety of the aid budget, the shape and priorities of the aid budget, to reflect the priorities that the Australian government has in particular to providing aid for our region. As I said, these decisions are currently before the cabinet. They will be made in due course. The language of 'quarantining', if I may say so, Senator Stephens, is not apt when one is reconsidering the entirety and shape of the aid budget. But I can give you the assurance sought in your primary question.