Summary of Management Response DFAT considers the evaluation to be of a good quality. It sufficiently addressed the questions on the Terms of Reference and Subsequent Evaluation Plan. The evaluation identified a number of areas where further improvements to DFAT-funded programs through the six Multilateral Development Partners (MDPs) can be made, particularly around monitoring and evaluation (M&E). While DFAT agrees with the majority of recommendations made in the report, we recognise and respect the PNG Government’s mandate and role in delivering health services to the people of PNG, in line with the principles of PNG and Australia’s broader bilateral relationship. Australia’s support to the health sector in PNG is intended to assist the PNG Government in delivering health services, and not to substitute it. With that said, Australia will look to implement these recommendations to the extent possible through those MDPs it funds and work with the PNG Government to ensure better coordination of DFAT-funded programs, particularly in the key areas of sector coordination and M&E. Response Timeframe [[If [Agree / practical, Explanation (Clearly specify which aspect of Recommendation Agree in Action Plan please specify the recommendation you partly agree with) part / timeframe Disagree] here] Australia recognises that PNG domestic policy and financing decisions are the responsibility of the PNG Government. Australia’s support to the PNG Health sector DFAT will continue to implement and align is agreed between the Papua New Guinean Australian support to the PNG Government’s DFAT, in collaboration with the National and Australian Government through the health sector priorities, as agreed between Department of Health, the Department of Aid Partnership 2016-2017. These the PNG and Australian Governments through National Planning and Monitoring, and key Agreed in mutually agreed areas are based on PNG’s the Aid Partnership. development partners establish procedures 2018-2022 part health sector priorities, as requested by PNG, to better monitor whether aid funding is and Australia’s national interest. Australia’s DFAT will continue to engage in development additional to, or potentially a substitute for, support ranges from technical assistance to partner coordination discussions led by the GoPNG financing to the health sector. project delivery to budget support for PNG’s PNG Government, and particularly the PNG health priorities. Minister for Health and HIV. Australia is committed to the principles of development partner coordination and is working with the PNG Government to align
Summary of Management Response DFAT considers the evaluation to be of a good quality. It sufficiently addressed the questions on the Terms of Reference and Subsequent Evaluation Plan. The evaluation identified a number of areas where further improvements to DFAT-funded programs through the six Multilateral Development Partners (MDPs) can be made, particularly around monitoring and evaluation (M&E). While DFAT agrees with the majority of recommendations made in the report, we recognise and respect the PNG Government’s mandate and role in delivering health services to the people of PNG, in line with the principles of PNG and Australia’s broader bilateral relationship. Australia’s support to the health sector in PNG is intended to assist the PNG Government in delivering health services, and not to substitute it. With that said, Australia will look to implement these recommendations to the extent possible through those MDPs it funds and work with the PNG Government to ensure better coordination of DFAT-funded programs, particularly in the key areas of sector coordination and M&E. Recommendation Response [Agree / Agree in part / Disagree] Explanation (Clearly specify which aspect of the recommendation you partly agree with) Action Plan Timeframe [[If practical, please specify timeframe here] DFAT, in collaboration with the National Department of Health, the Department of National Planning and Monitoring, and key development partners establish procedures to better monitor whether aid funding is additional to, or potentially a substitute for, GoPNG financing to the health sector. Agreed in part Australia recognises that PNG domestic policy and financing decisions are the responsibility of the PNG Government. Australia’s support to the PNG Health sector is agreed between the Papua New Guinean and Australian Government through the Aid Partnership 2016-2017. These mutually agreed areas are based on PNG’s health sector priorities, as requested by PNG, and Australia’s national interest. Australia’s support ranges from technical assistance to project delivery to budget support for PNG’s health priorities. Australia is committed to the principles of development partner coordination and is working with the PNG Government to align DFAT will continue to implement and align Australian support to the PNG Government’s health sector priorities, as agreed between the PNG and Australian Governments through the Aid Partnership. DFAT will continue to engage in development partner coordination discussions led by the PNG Government, and particularly the PNG Minister for Health and HIV. 2018-2022