Regional Economic Governance Support
Indonesia
During 2008-09, Finance and the Indonesian Ministry of Finance continued to work together under the Australia-Indonesia Finance Engagement Strategy. The strategy covers a work program to help build strong bilateral relationships, share experiences and develop Indonesian capacity in implementing public financial management reforms. During 2008-09, Finance had three deployees working in the Indonesian Ministry of Finance providing technical assistance and supporting capacity building. During the year, they focused on assisting Indonesia to integrate planning and budgeting processes, asset management and broader financial management reforms.
As part of the strategy, senior delegates from the Indonesian Ministry of Finance participated in study tours to Australia from 10 to 14 November 2008 and from 16 to 20 February 2009, and officials from the ministry undertook a series of work placements in the department. From 31 May to 3 June 2009, the Secretary of Finance and the General Manager of the Financial Management Group visited Jakarta and met with the Indonesian Minister of Finance and senior officials of the ministry to discuss a range of strategic reform issues.
Pacific Region
During 2008-09, Finance continued to play an active role in the Australian Government’s partnerships with neighbouring countries in the Pacific region to support improved budgeting and financial management arrangements. Finance deployed 12 officers to Papua New Guinea as part of the Strongim Gavman Program, three to the Solomon Islands as part of the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands, and one officer to Nauru under the Nauru Economic Advice Governance Assistance Program. Finance reviewed these engagements through the year, in consultation with whole-of-government partners and the host governments, to ensure that the assistance continued to be relevant to their needs.
As part of the PNG-Australia Finance Twinning Scheme, Finance worked with AusAID to provide short-term development opportunities for staff of Finance and PNG Finance. During 2008-09, the program provided officers with the opportunity to work in each other’s departments and to improve their understanding of financial management issues.
Across the Pacific countries covered by these programs, Finance officers assisted in improving budgeting and accounting practices, expenditure controls, payroll systems and internal audit capacity, as well as working with local officials to develop improved financial management and budgeting skills. Finance concluded its engagement with Nauru in June 2009 and AusAID will negotiate any future support to the Nauruan Ministry of Finance with the Republic of Nauru.