Australia supports the UN Secretary-General’s Global Strategy for Women’s and Children’s Health as a firm platform for putting the health needs of women and children back into the centre of the development agenda. Recognising the need for increased effort on women’s and children’s health, Australia will invest around US$1.5 billion (A$1.6 billion) over the five years to 2015 on interventions evidence shows will improve maternal and child health outcomes. These will include expanding access to family planning and vaccination services, and funding skilled health workers (including midwives), health facilities and supplies. Financial support committed in 2010 includes an additional US$79.5 million (A$85 million) for the Pacific and Papua New Guinea and US$131 million (A$140 million) for Eastern Africa. Australia’s strong focus on Indonesia, South Asia and effectively performing international organisations will also continue. [on current projections subject to annual budget processes]

By expanding access to family planning and vaccination services, funding skilled health workers.