8:30AM Department of Foreign Affairs
World Bank Team
Two DFAT staff members gave us a really insightful look behind the scenes of the Annual Meetings and the World Bank. They explained how a priority of the Annual Meeting would be to determine what role the Bank would play in the newly announced Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which would succeed the Millennium Development Goals, due to be retired this year.
We then discussed the policy shift the Bank had undergone. There is a lot more focus on private capital, remittance and domestic capital mobilisation. The Bank wants to determine what enabling environments developing countries need help setting up to promote these three sources of funding.
GV delegates were then given a detailed insight into the funding and governance measures.
Australia’s priorities going into the Annual meeting are:
We also discussed the role of the Bank within the BEPS context. The Bank’s has an interest in BEPS because resolving corporate tax leakages is a means of domestic revenue mobilization. The Bank can play a key role in the project by using its strength as a data collector/reporter.
We then discussed the policy shift the Bank had undergone. There is a lot more focus on private capital, remittance and domestic capital mobilisation. The Bank wants to determine what enabling environments developing countries need help setting up to promote these three sources of funding.
GV delegates were then given a detailed insight into the funding and governance measures.
Australia’s priorities going into the Annual meeting are:
- Gaining insight into global economic expertise
- Assessing the performance of the World Bank as our capacity as a “shareholder”
- Determining how the Bank intends to engage with the SDGs
- Present Australia’s views on reforming the funding criteria for programs to assess neediness on vulnerability to external shocks rather than GNI/capita
We also discussed the role of the Bank within the BEPS context. The Bank’s has an interest in BEPS because resolving corporate tax leakages is a means of domestic revenue mobilization. The Bank can play a key role in the project by using its strength as a data collector/reporter.
Determining the WBs role in achieving SDGs Oz focus in Lima #RoadToLima @globalvoicesau @UNSWCoop @UNSWbusiness
— Zoe Diamond (@zdiamond_) September 9, 2015
9:30AM Hon. Kelly O’Dwyer MP
Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer
Ms. O’Dwyer gave us insights into some of the portfolios she manages as Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer including the ABS, the Mint and Foreign Investment. Ms. O’Dwyer excitedly divulged plans to digitise the 2016 census. Two-thirds of Australians are expected to complete it online, increasing efficiency.
Ms. O’Dwyer also elaborated on business plans for a Global Infrastructure Hub, which was approved at the Turkey G20 meeting. The Hub will be based in Sydney with a 5-year mandate to increase skills and efficiency by bringing global skills together to encourage private/public partnerships.
Finally, Ms. O’Dwyer discussed the challenges she faced as a new mother in a high-pressure role, having only given birth to her daughter 3 months prior. She discussed the need for greater female representation in politics and important it was that women of childbearing age were given every opportunity.
Ms. O’Dwyer also elaborated on business plans for a Global Infrastructure Hub, which was approved at the Turkey G20 meeting. The Hub will be based in Sydney with a 5-year mandate to increase skills and efficiency by bringing global skills together to encourage private/public partnerships.
Finally, Ms. O’Dwyer discussed the challenges she faced as a new mother in a high-pressure role, having only given birth to her daughter 3 months prior. She discussed the need for greater female representation in politics and important it was that women of childbearing age were given every opportunity.
“Women of child-bearing years can be MPs.”
10:00AM Hon. Dr. Andrew Leigh MP
Shadow Assistant Treasurer & Shadow Minister for Competition
Dr. Leigh’s parents were aid workers. He described seeing deprivation and poverty from a young age as a formative experience, inspiring his passion for protecting people in the margins and alleviating poverty and disadvantage.
It was very interesting to hear Dr. Leigh’s speak on the role of an MP in opposition. Given that governments are generally only in power for 1-2 terms, it is crucial to have policies formulated and ready to go.
It was very interesting to hear Dr. Leigh’s speak on the role of an MP in opposition. Given that governments are generally only in power for 1-2 terms, it is crucial to have policies formulated and ready to go.
Fantastic to hear @ALeighMP address @globalvoicesau on the importance of building strong policy while in opposition
— Zoe Diamond (@zdiamond_) September 10, 2015
10:30AM Hon. Bill Shorten MP
Opposition Leader
1.30PM - Hon. Alan Tudge MP
Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister
Global Voices delegates had the pleasure of enjoying lunch with Mr. Tudge in the Member's Private Dining Room, complete with Australian emblem crockery.
Mr. Tudge spoke about how his career at BCG had equipped him with skills to solve problems. He also spoke passionately about his Indigenous Affairs portfolio. |
@AlanTudgeMP shares passion for Indigenous affairs & public life w @globalvoicesau over lunch pic.twitter.com/o2Ittwo9SE
— Zoe Diamond (@zdiamond_) September 10, 2015