The Pacific COVID-19 Fiscal Budget Support package provided AUD498 million to Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste over a three-year period (2020-2023). The aim was to help countries mitigate the risk of fiscal crisis, maintain essential services and protect the vulnerable through targeted and temporary support.

The evaluation assessed the effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability, gender equality and disability inclusion of the package across 12 countries: Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Kiribati, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Tuvalu and Timor-Leste. The findings will be used to inform the next Pacific direct financing package. 

Despite making commendable development progress since gaining independence in 2002, Timor-Leste’s economic performance and potential have been hampered by slow and volatile economic growth, driven by the oil and gas sector.

This growth has been lower than all ASEAN members except Brunei (another oil and gas exporter). The last LNG shipment from Bayu-Undan left in November 20231. With no alternative revenue source in the short-term (until any future oil and gas developments come online), the Government of Timor- Leste’s (GoTL) revenue shortfall will be significant, highlighting the urgent need to diversify the economy.

A Mid-Term Review of the ASEAN-Australia Digital Trade Standards (DTS) Initiative, a AUD 5 million (2018-2024) program to support greater implementation of digital trade standards by ASEAN Member States (AMS) and to increase digital trade for regional prosperity and security, was conducted in early 2022 by an independent consultant.

Indonesia has one of the fastest growing digital services industries in the world. Home to over ten digital unicorns – digital companies valued at over $1 billion – and with over 100 million internet users, the digital economy is an important driver of Indonesia’s growth and development. The Katalis Market Insight series provide an overview of the digital skills landscape in Indonesia and presents way to close any existing gap by connecting Indonesian businesses with Australian Technical Vocational, Education Training providers.

The purpose of this evaluation is to examine the impact and effectiveness of the Kokoda College Flexible Open and Distance Learning Education (FODE) program in supporting pathways for people into formal, second-chance education and then onto tertiary training and careers in teaching and health work.

Equity Economics has prepared an independent evaluation report on the Kokoda Track Foundation’s (KTF) Strongim Meri Bisnis (SMB) Project. KTF’s SMB Project works with women’s groups in remote and rural communities in Papua New Guinea (PNG) to establish and support women’s small-business operations.

Equity Economics has delivered new analysis of the potential for shared services to deliver value for money and strengthened development outcomes in the international development sector

The human and economic cost of Australia’s offshore detention policies 2019

New analysis by Equity Economics illustrates the impact of rising inequality on economic growth in Australia. Released nationally as part of the work of the Inclusive Prosperity Commission the analysis discusses the hidden headwind of inequality.