MEDIA STATEMENT - IMMEDIATE RELEASE

17 December 2010

Minister Mccully Incorrect on Funding Issues

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Murray McCully is incorrect in his statements (NZPA 17 Dec.) about previous funding arrangements and accountability of development agencies according to the Council for International Development.

“The Minister’s statement that funding used to go to the Council for International Development who allocated to NGOs with no accountability is wrong on both counts” said Dr Wren Green, Director.

“The Council for International Development was never involved in any allocations of aid money to NGOs” he said.

The allocation decisions under the previous schemes that were axed this year by Government were made by a committee that included elected representatives of development agencies, an official from NZAID, with an independent chair.

“That committee made its recommendations to NZAID for final approval and referral to the Minister as appropriate. There was a position on the committee for a Ministerial liaison person but that was last taken several years ago” said Dr Green.

The two funding schemes were last subjected to a full audit by Audit New Zealand 2 years ago.

“Not only were they given a clean bill of health, but Audit New Zealand has used them as an example to government organisations as a model of its kind”, said Dr. Green.

“We welcome the Minister’s comment that the Government wants to work more with NGOs because they are an effective way of getting things done. We look forward to a constructive way of doing so” he said.

ENDS

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