The Gillard Government will increase Australia's Official Development Assistance to a record $5.7 billion in 2013-14.

This is an increase of approximately $500 million or 9.6 per cent on 2012-13 and brings the aid budget to 0.37 per cent of gross national income (GNI).

It will be the highest aid budget in Australian history.

It occurs at a time when aid among OECD countries has fallen by 4 per cent in real terms (over 2012).

Australia remains committed to increasing its aid budget to 0.5 per cent of GNI.

Foreign Minister Bob Carr today called for international agreement on plans for the future of Syria, including humanitarian aid, the post-Assad transition, a democratic government and commitments on excluding al-Qaida and refraining from chemical weapon use.

Senator Carr will discuss the plans with European Foreign Ministers, Arabic representatives and the Arab League in talks on Syria in Luxembourg today (from 2am April 22 AEDT).

"The Syrian war has become one of the world's great humanitarian crises," Senator Carr said.

Foreign Minister Bob Carr expressed concerned about ethnic unrest in parts of Myanmar.

Senator Carr reaffirmed Australia's commitment in assisting to resolve communal tensions, supporting the peace process, and providing humanitarian assistance to those affected by recent ethnic and sectarian conflict.

"Australia is supporting local efforts to bring peace to regions affected by conflict in Myanmar," Senator Carr said.

Joint media release

• Senator the Hon. Bob Carr, Minister for Foreign Affairs

• The Hon. Stephen Smith MP, Minister for Defence

• The Hon. Mark Dreyfus QC MP, Special Minister of State, Attorney General, Minister for Emergency Management, Minister for the Public Service and Integrity

1 April 2013

Australia has become a party to the Convention on Cluster Munitions with legislation commencing today (April 1, 2013) making it an offence in Australia to develop, keep or transfer land mines or cluster munitions.

Media release

21 February 2013

Foreign Minister Bob Carr today announced a further $2.5 million in emergency aid for Rakhine and Kachin States in Myanmar and to begin efforts to clear landmines from southeast rural lands.

Senator Carr said $1.25m would go towards shelter, clean water and sanitation in Rakhine State, where ongoing conflict had left more than 115,000 people homeless.

Senator Carr said he urged political and community leaders on all sides of the conflict to bring the violence to an end.

WED 13 FEBRUARY 2013

Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Emergency Management, Minister for Human Services Canberra The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) has been extended to people severely affected by flooding in the local government areasof South Burnett and Cherbourg, Queensland.

Foreign Minister Bob Carr today announced Australia would provide $15 million to rehabilitate 40 kilometres of main road in South Tarawa, Kiribati, which has been undermined by rising sea levels and coastal erosion.

Speaking from Kiribati, Senator Carr said the works were essential if the nation was to survive the impact of climate change.

"Kiribati is at the front line of climate change," Senator Carr said.

"Its highest point is now just three metres above sea level.

31 January 2013

Foreign Minister Bob Carr today announced a further $10 million in humanitarian assistance for people affected by the conflict in Syria, which has claimed more than 60,000 lives and left two million people homeless.

"Nearly one in five Syrians - or around 4 million people - are now in desperate need of shelter, food and health care as the fighting continues," Senator Carr said.

"Reports from Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey and Iraq also suggest around 2,000 people a day are fleeing to refugee camps across Syria's borders.

Australia has committed $5 million to the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) to provide food, medical assistance, water, shelter and protection for up to 245,000 refugees fleeing Sudan due to ongoing violence.

Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs Richard Marles announced the assistance while visiting villages along the border between Sudan and South Sudan.

"Many of those who have fled are arriving in refugee camps suffering from dehydration and malnourishment and without the most basic possessions," Mr Marles said.