2013‑2014‑2015

The Parliament of the

Commonwealth of Australia

THE SENATE

Presented and read a first time

International Aid (Promoting Gender Equality) Bill 2015

No.      , 2015

(Senator Rhiannon)

A Bill for an Act to promote gender equality in the provision of international aid by the Commonwealth, and for related purposes

Contents

Part 1—Preliminary                                                                                                             1

1............ Short title............................................................................................. 1

2............ Commencement................................................................................... 2

3............ Definitions.......................................................................................... 2

Part 2—Promoting gender equality                                                                            3

4............ Duty to have regard to gender equality................................................ 3

5............ Reporting on the use of international aid to promote gender equality.. 3

A Bill for an Act to promote gender equality in the provision of international aid by the Commonwealth, and for related purposes

The Parliament of Australia enacts:

Part 1—Preliminary

1  Short title

                   This Act may be cited as the International Aid (Promoting Gender Equality) Act 2015.

2  Commencement

                   This Act commences on the day after this Act receives the Royal Assent.

3  Definitions

                   In this Act:

Commonwealth aid official means an officer or employee of the Commonwealth (including a Minister) who has powers, functions or responsibilities that relate to the provision of official development assistance or humanitarian assistance.

humanitarian assistance means international aid (however described) provided for the purpose of alleviating the effects of a natural or human‑caused disaster or other emergency on the population of one or more foreign countries.

Minister for Foreign Affairs means the Minister administering the Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities Act 1967.

official development assistance means bilateral or multilateral international aid (however described) provided for the purpose of:

                     (a)  furthering development in one or more foreign countries; or

                     (b)  improving the welfare of the population of one or more foreign countries.

Part 2—Promoting gender equality

4  Duty to have regard to gender equality

             (1)  A Commonwealth aid official who proposes to make a decision relating to the provision of official development assistance must, in making the decision, have regard to how the provision will contribute to reducing inequality between persons of different gender.

             (2)  A Commonwealth aid official who proposes to make a decision relating to the provision of humanitarian assistance must, in making the decision, have regard to any gender‑related differences in the needs of those affected by the disaster or emergency so that those with specific needs can be accommodated.

5  Reporting on the use of international aid to promote gender equality

             (1)  Each financial year, the Minister for Foreign Affairs must present to each House of the Parliament a report setting out how, during the previous financial year, the Commonwealth used international aid to promote gender equality in recipient countries.

             (2)  The report is to be presented to each House of the Parliament within 15 sitting days of that House after the end of the financial year.