The Australian Government will provide an estimated T$55.67 million (AUD32.2m) in development assistance to Tonga in 2013-14, the Australian High Commission announced today, 4 June.

The Australian High Commissioner to Tonga, HE Mr Brett Aldam said that Australia's assistance to Tonga in 2013-14 "will remain focused on supporting the government of Tonga' efforts to boost economic development and promote health and education service delivery."

New initiatives in the 2013-14 program for Tonga include a multi-year investment to improve basic education and learning outcomes, installing solar power in nine outer islands in partnership with the Asian Development Bank, a governance and parliamentary support program to be delivered by the UNDP, and initiatives to improve the political, economic and social advancement of women.

He said that Australia remained committed to increasing its Overseas Development Assistance  to 0.5% of its Gross National Income, however it has decided to defer this scale-up to 2017-18.

The Australian Government has increased its ODA for 2013-14 to AUD$5.7 billion from AUD$5.2 billion, the equivalent of 0.37% of its GNI.