THE PRINCIPLES that determine which countries receive aid funding from Australia are set to change, and there may be less focus on the Pacific region.

Australian aid is currently heavily directed to the Pacific, with PNG and the Solomon Islands the biggest recipients.

Australian MP Dr Andrew Leigh says, while the Pacific remains Australia's priority, there should be less focus on region as a criteria for funding.

He told Radio Australia he is also pushing for better deals for countries like PNG, which has had a mining resources boom, yet the standard of living remains relatively low.

"Financial flows should be transparent. Companies should publish what they pay to governments and publish what they recieve from companies," he said.

"That makes sure that voters get the best deal out of the natural resources that are their birth right."

The Australian government has increased the aid budget by $500 million with much of it to go to Pacific countries.

Source: Australia Network News