The Australian Regional Leadership Initiative

Understanding Australia’s development program

This resource hub is designed for decision-makers, Members of Parliament, policymakers and sector leaders to better understand Australia’s development program. Here you will find the stories, statistics and contexts which reveal how investment in aid and development improves the safety and prosperity of individuals, communities, countries and our region. This investment is also an important contribution to building Australia’s relationships and national security.

What is ARLI?

The Australian Regional Leadership Initiative (ARLI) is a cross-parliamentary program that offers Australian parliamentarians, civil society and business leaders the opportunity to see how Australian aid and development works. Through study tours to Australian development programs in our region, ARLI fosters understanding and networks that shape more informed public dialogue and policymaking on Australia’s Official Development Assistance (ODA). The Gates Foundation has funded ARLI since its inception in 2015. Take a look at a recent trip to Timor-Leste.

If you ever have the opportunity to participate in the Australian Regional Leadership Initiative, say yes. Every Parliamentarian should take the chance to experience for themselves the fact that aid programs are not just life-changing and life-saving, but are also, dollar for dollar, the best investment we can make in shared prosperity and peace.

Hon Josh Wilson MP

A history of ARLI

Since the initiative’s inception in 2015, ARLI has delivered 20 learning tours. Over 90 political leaders and community leaders have taken part, experiencing firsthand the lifechanging impact of Australia’s aid and development programs in Papua New Guinea, Cambodia, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu, Indonesia, Laos, Timor-Leste, Kenya, Jordan and Lebanon. An evaluation of the value and impact of the Initiative was undertaken by Dr Tamas Wells and Dr Benjamin Day in 2023 and their report can be accessed here.

Timor-Leste (2026)

ARLI’s first delegation to Timor-Leste travelled through Dili, Balibo, Maliana and Oecusse to explore Australian Government-supported work in education, health, nutrition, water access, disaster preparedness, livelihoods and youth participation. Delegates also examined Timor-Leste’s economic transition, regional integration and complex relationship with Australia. Delegation: Alison Penfold MP, Louise Miller-Frost MP, David Moncrieff MP, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, Ben Small MP, Matthew Maury (CEO of the Australian Council for International Development).

Kenya (2026)

With funding from the Judith Neilson Foundation, ARLI organised a learning tour to Nairobi, Turkana County and Nandi Hills for a small delegation of philanthropic leaders and representatives. The group explored locally led and scalable approaches to school feeding, health and nutrition, refugee support, climate resilience, disability inclusion and agricultural innovation, and deepened their understanding of development impact and financing. Delegation: Brendan O’Brien, Martin Hosking, Peder Pedersen, Simon Freeman, Steve Killelea AM, Upenyu Mawande, Mark Cubit.

Papua New Guinea (2026)

This delegation travelled to Port Moresby and East New Britain to see how Australian partnerships are strengthening maternal and child health, vaccination and malaria programs, family nutrition and early learning, while also exploring disaster preparedness, environmental resilience and the shared history of the Kokoda Track. Delegation: Sam Birrell MP, Susan Templeman MP, Fiona Phillips MP, Ash Ambihaipahar MP, Libby Coker MP.

Laos (2025)

Our 2025 parliamentary delegation travelled to Laos to see how Australian investment and longstanding partnership is helping to support climate adaptation, healthcare projects and access to education. Delegation: Senator Leah Blyth, Dai Le MP, Andrew Wallace MP, Hon Kate Thwaites MP, Jodie Belyea MP.

Vanuatu (2024)

This delegation took to the sea in health and logistics vessel, HELPR1 to visit several islands in the archipelago to see how Australian aid and development is supporting Vanuatu’s post-cyclone rebuild, health clinics, worker training, education and climate-smart agriculture. Delegation: Angie Bell MP, Hon Michael McCormack MP, Hon Sharon Claydon MP, Hon Dan Tehan MP, Senator Steph Hodgins-May, Sarah Ison (journalist).

Indonesia (2024)

This visit during Indonesia’s election period gave Australian parliamentarians the chance to witness Indonesian democracy in action. They also saw how Australian investment is boosting health security, inclusive justice, innovative education, women’s leadership and disaster readiness. Delegation: Senator Marielle Smith, Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie, Senator David Shoebridge, Pat Conaghan MP, Hon Josh Wilson MP, Hon Nola Marino, Clare Armstrong (journalist).

Papua New Guinea (2023)

Led by Pacific Friends of Global Health, six Australian parliamentarians had the chance to visit health teams fighting tuberculosis, malaria and HIV, delivering vaccines and supporting survivors of violence. Delegation: Hon Simon Birmingham, Josh Burns MP, Dr Mike Freelander MP, Senator Michelle Ananda-Rajah, Hon Michael McCormack MP, Senator the Hon Anne Ruston, Dr Sophie Scamps MP.

Solomon Islands (2023)

On this action-packed visit the delegation saw Australian support at work fostering disability-inclusive schools, better health care, climate resilience and violence prevention as far afield as Western Province in the Solomon Islands. Delegation: Sally Sitou MP, David Smith MP, Senator Karen Grogan, Senator Tammy Tyrrell, Hon Kevin Hogan MP, Naomi Brooks.

Fiji (2022)

Parliamentary and community leaders visited Fiji to see how Australian support is strengthening reproductive health, agribusiness, schooling and disaster resilience and supporting economic recovery following the pandemic. Delegation: Perin Davey, Helen Haines MP, Senator the Hon Jess Walsh, Hon Darren Chester MP, David Van, Virginia Haussegger AM, Dr Emma Watkins, Larry Kamener, Dr Anika Molesworth, Stephanie Brantz, Elisabetta Denton, Lisa Minogue, Paul Osborne (journalist).

Kenya (2022)

A seven-member parliamentary group toured clinics and farms, seeing Australian-supported nutrition, eye care, drought-smart agriculture and women-led enterprises in action. Delegation: Senator Claire Chandler, Louise Pratt, Hon Michael McCormack MP, James Stevens, Matt Burnell MP, Graham Perrett, Tania Lawrence MP, Ellen Whinnett (journalist).

Bangladesh (2020)

Five parliamentarians witnessed Australian support funding accessible schools, health and nutrition services, climate-adaptation projects and cash relief for vulnerable families in Dhaka. They also witnessed Australia providing vital relief to those living in the world’s largest refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar. Delegation: Senator Wendy Askew, Angie Bell MP, Hon Kristina Keneally, Hon Anne Aly MP, Hon Josh Wilson MP, Brett Mason (journalist).

Papua New Guinea (2019)

A parliamentary delegation visited coffee farms, schools and clinics to see Australia’s development program boosting livelihoods, health security and education quality and supporting mothers and babies as well as survivors of domestic and family violence. Delegation: Josh Burns MP, Senator the Hon Nita Green, Rex Patrick, Hollie Hughes, Katie Allen, Senator Dave Sharma, Alex Ellinghausen (journalist).

Jordan & Lebanon (2019)

A group of Australian business, academic and faith leaders met refugees benefiting from Australian-funded job training, humanitarian relief and safe spaces for women. Delegation: Ameet Bains, John Dickson, Dr Erin Watson, Deidre Willmott, Tim McColl Jones, Meshel Laurie, Jonathan Pearlman.

Solomon Islands (2018)

Parliamentarians representing the major parties as well as an independent met with participants in Australian-financed skills centres, safe markets, sanitation upgrades and youth programs transforming communities in Honiara and on the island of Melaita. Delegation: Trevor Evans, Hon Julian Hill MP, Senator the Hon Murray Watt, Derryn Hinch, Hon Milton Dick MP, Susan Lamb, Chris Crewther MP, Annika Smethurst (journalist).

Bangladesh (2018)

The group, which included the former Ambassador for Women and Girls Natasha Stott-Despoja, visited Australian aid and development programs that nurture inclusive classrooms, provide life-saving nutrition, develop climate-smart farming and support Rohingya refugees. Delegation: Hon Luke Howarth MP, Hon Shayne Neumann MP, Hon Matt Thistlethwaite MP, Hon Damian Drum MP, Hon Ged Kearney MP, Meryl Swanson MP.

Myanmar (2017)

The delegation had a rare chance to see Australia’s support at work in Myanmar. The learning tour included a visit to Rakhine State where Australian-funded initiatives support Rohingya people living in camps. Delegation: Hon Andrew Leigh MP, Terri Butler, Trent Zimmerman, Hon Luke Gosling OAM MP, Senator Dean Smith, Hon Peter Khalil MP.

Jordan & Lebanon (2017)

Six senators and MPs visited Zaatari, the largest camp for Syrian refugees in the Middle East, to see Australian aid and development at work. They also visited Syrian refugees in their homes in Beirut and in informal settlements in the Bekaa Valley. Delegation: Tim Hammond, Kimberley Kitching, Senator the Hon Jenny McAllister, Tim Wilson MP, Senator Nick McKim, Derryn Hinch, Ashlynne McGhee (journalist).

Papua New Guinea (2016)

A cross-party group of four parliamentarians witnessed first-hand the impact of violence against women and children in PNG and how Australia’s development assistance is helping make a difference. They also visited disability programs and nutrition projects. Delegation: Senator the Hon Penny Wong, Hon Damian Drum MP, Hon Madeleine King MP, Ann Sudmalis MP, Michael Koziol (journalist).

Cambodia (2016)

ALP and Coalition representatives visited cities and villages to more deeply understand the impact of Australian-funded projects that protect children, keep girls learning, boost women’s incomes and support people with disability. Delegation: Hon Dan Tehan MP, Gai Brodtmann, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds, Hon Darren Chester MP, Lisa Chesters MP, Hon Sharon Claydon MP, Charles Croucher (journalist).

Papua New Guinea (2015)

On the inaugural ARLI delegation, five Australian MPs saw how our aid and development is helping provide clean water, prevent TB and support healthy mothers and babies. Delegation: Hon Tim Watts MP, David Feeney, Ewen Jones, Sam Dastyari, Andrew Broad, Ellen Whinnett (journalist).

My week in Laos for the Save the Children Australia Regional Leadership Initiative was impactful and insightful. Witnessing the tangible results of our foreign aid, from preventing child marriage to supporting innovative farming, proved invaluable … This experience strengthened my understanding of the Australia Laos partnership and our shared call to action for a more sustainable, inclusive future. I’m grateful to be part of ARLI and if you have the opportunity to be part of it, seize it.

Dai Le MP

Follow the journey

ARLI helps decision-makers see the work of Australia’s Official Development Assistance (ODA): the effort to turn tax dollars into cleaner water, safer births and a more prosperous region. In 2026-27 Australia will invest $5.209 billion through its ODA program, most of it in the Indo-Pacific. This investment includes Australia’s support of multilateral organisations taking on some of the most pressing global challenges, including the work of Gavi, The Global Fund, Green Climate Fund and Global Partnership for Education. Our map tracks every country ARLI has visited to connect parliamentarians and community leaders with the impact of Australia’s aid and development program.

I have been privileged to experience two ARLI delegations and witnessed the work that NFPs and DFAT undertake abroad in foreign aid, health, education, safe spaces for women and children, environmental impacts, defence and more. The program builds critical knowledge in humanitarian aid and shows how Australia supports global human rights.

Angie Bell MP

Results in focus

Don’t let the lifechanging impact get lost in the numbers. Understand the consequences of Australia’s Official Development Assistance through a vaccination clinic in Indonesia, safe births in Papua New Guinea or cyclone-ready schools in Fiji. See the results for yourself, challenge your assumptions and inform policy decisions with these concise case studies.

Open gallery

Explore Australian ODA by region

The widgets below group the ARLI tours into three key regions: the Pacific, Asia, and the Middle East & Africa. Each section distils what Australia’s development program is addressing in local communities and how ARLI visits sharpen policy insight. Scan the overviews, then dive into individual case studies to see people, data and outcomes in context.

Pacific

Pacific nations are our closest neighbours and represent some of our deepest development partnerships. ARLI tours to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Fiji and Vanuatu reveal how targeted partnerships on issues such as safe births, disaster planning and inclusive skills training can build resilience and opportunities that reach well beyond capital cities.

Learn more

Asia

Australian ODA investments in Asia have evolved to meet emerging challenges, deepen engagement with ASEAN nations, promote growth and foster regional stability. From Indonesia’s archipelago to Cambodia’s rural districts, ARLI tours have helped to spotlight Australian-backed innovations in health, education and governance. Learn more about Australia’s development programs across Cambodia, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Laos.

Learn more

Middle East & Africa

Australia’s aid and development investments and innovations in the Middle East and Africa focus on addressing food insecurity, displacement, and climate resilience through targeted humanitarian assistance and development programs. In Jordan, Lebanon and Kenya, ARLI delegates were given the chance to examine critical programs that protect refugees, restore livelihoods and strengthen community health.

Learn more

Resources

Looking for a case study, briefing or analysis? This toolkit puts everything in one place. Whether you’re preparing a policy, a speech or a social post, here you can find clear, evidence-based content from reliable sources ready for you to read and share. Bookmark it as a shortcut to aid and development facts, context and straightforward explanations.

Learn more

The Australian Regional Leadership Initiative (ARLI)

Understanding Australia’s development program

What is ARLI?

A history of ARLI

Timor-Leste (2026)

Kenya (2026)

Papua New Guinea (2026)

Laos (2025)

Vanuatu (2024)

Indonesia (2024)

Papua New Guinea (2023)

Solomon Islands (2023)

Fiji (2022)

Kenya (2022)

Bangladesh (2020)

Papua New Guinea (2019)

Jordan & Lebanon (2019)

Solomon Islands (2018)

Bangladesh (2018)

Myanmar (2017)

Jordan & Lebanon (2017)

Papua New Guinea (2016)

Cambodia (2016)

Papua New Guinea (2015)

Follow the journey

Results in focus

Explore Australian ODA by region

Pacific

Asia

Middle East & Africa

Resources

Where the money goes*

Follow us

Call us to Donate