About Robin

Robin was appointed to his present position in December 2012 and is concurrently, since mid-2014, an Honorary Professor at the ANU. He previously worked for almost 20 years at the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), including 10 years as a member of its senior executive service, both in Australia and overseas. He headed AusAID’s International Programs and Partnerships Division (2010-12), its Sustainable Development Group (2007-2009) and its country program in Indonesia (2003-06). He was stationed in Paris from 1999 to 2002 where, among other things, he represented Australia on the OECD Development Assistance Committee and on the board of the UN World Food Programme. His policy and research interests include aid policy and management, multilateral cooperation for development, development financing and public-private partnerships for development.

Website: https://theconversation.com/profiles/robin-davies-114094

FactCheck: What are the facts on Australia’s foreign aid spending?

Robin Davies, Australian National University

Aid was at its highest under Menzies, at 0.5% … when per capita income was much lower. – World Vision Australia chief advocate Tim Costello, quoted in The Sydney Morning Herald, December 28, 2016.

A news report highlighting the fall in Australia’s foreign aid spending quoted World Vision Australia Chief Advocate Tim Costello as saying aid was at its highest under Prime Minister Robert Menzies, at 0.5% of gross national income – at a time when per capita income was much lower.

Is that right?
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