The Development Assistance Committee: a slowly declining priority

This chapter demonstrates how Australia’s engagement with the Development Assistance Committee, initially enthusiastic, conceived as an important first step to eventual full membership of the OECD, slowly declined in enthusiasm following full membership. Participation in DAC became more selective and of a lower priority, though providing valuable policy learning experiences, information and policy guidelines. The chapter argues that Australia did not simply accept what was developed by DAC, but also, at times, made important contributions to its work, most recently in regard to policies and practices of value in dealing with fragile states. In addition, the DAC’s regular reviews of Australia’s aid policies and programmes enabled officials to learn from its peers at the DAC, as well as providing them with, at times, valuable, comparative information which could be used to support the case for greater aid allocations in the government’s annual budgets. Key words: DAC; membership; decline; influence