The answer to the honourable senator's question is as follows:

(a)   AusAID was unable to attend the Global Microcredit Summit due to competing priorities at the time.

(b)   A number of AusAID's microfinance partners participated in the Summit as panel members. These included the Consultative Group on Assisting the Poor; International Finance Corporation; Women's World Banking; United Nations Capital Development Fund; and the International Labour Organisation.