Australia

Support for Mine Action

Last updated: 03 August 2017

In 2016, the Commonwealth of Australia contributed A$14.9 million (US$11.1 million)[1] in mine action funding to nine recipients, including three countries. Compared to 2015, when its contribution amounted A$5.4 million ($4.1 million), Australia’s mine action funding in 2016 has nearly tripled.

Overall, Australia allocated more than 60% of its mine action support in 2016 (A$9.6 million/$7.1 million) for clearance activities in Cambodia, Iraq, and Palau. Australia contributed A$3.9 million ($2.9 million) to victim assistance projects, which represents more than one quarter (26%) of its support.

Contributions by recipient: 2016[2]

Recipient	Sector	Amount (A$)	Amount (US$)
Cambodia	Clearance and victim assistance	6,476,000	4,821,382
Iraq	Clearance	5,000,000	3,722,500
Palau	Clearance	580,000	431,810
ICRC	Victim assistance	1,200,000	893,400
UNMAS	Clearance	499,000	371,506
Geneva Call	Advocacy	200,000	148,900
Handicap International	Victim assistance	200,000	148,900
GICHD	Various	600,000	446,700
ICBL-CMC	Advocacy	140,000	104,230
Total		14,895,000	11,089,328

From 2011–2015, Australia’s contribution to mine action totaled more than A$65 million ($60.3 million), which is 50% less than the A$136.4 million ($124.4 million) provided during the previous five-year period from 2007–2011.[3]

Summary of contributions: 2012–2015[4]

Year	Amount (A$)	Amount (US$)	% change from previous year (US$)
2016	14,895,000	11,089,328	+170
2015	5,453,427	4,102,068	-38
2014	7,325,715	6,618,051	-54
2013	14,913,542	14,450,825	-40
2012	23,159,725	23,991,159	-48
Total	65,747,409	60,251,431

[1] Average exchange rate for 2016: A$1=US$0.7445. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 4 January 2017.

[2] Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report, Form J, 30 April 2017.

[3] See, Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor, “Country Profile: Australia: Support for Mine Action,” 10 September 2012.

[4] See previous Monitor reports.