Nation's Helping Hand Gets Bigger

The Age

Wednesday May 14, 2008

Brendan Nicholson

THE Government has taken the first step towards its promised increase in the foreign aid budget to 0.5% of gross national income by 2015.

In 2007-08, Australia's official developmental assistance budget amounted to 0.3% of GNI.

In line with its election promise, the Government has increased that to .32% of GNI, with total development assistance of $3.7 billion. In the following year the proportion of GNI will increase to 0.35%.

Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith said the money would help nations adapt to climate change, fight avoidable blindness and provide clean water and sanitation.

Australia would also increase its contributions to United Nations agencies, humanitarian and reconstruction work in Iraq and new projects with partners in the Pacific.

The biggest share of the aid money, $999.5 million, goes to Papua New Guinea and Pacific countries.

Indonesia will get $462 million, the Philippines $109.3 million and Vietnam $93.1 million.

Afghanistan will receive $122.4 million to strengthen the instruments of government and rebuild health and education services and national infrastructure.

Iraq will get $313.4 million in the form of debt relief, humanitarian aid and help with managing agriculture and general reconstruction.

Pakistan will get $30.5 million, much of it to continue reconstruction after its 2005 earthquake.

AT A GLANCE BUDGET 2008

? In opposition, Labor promised to increase the foreign aid budget to 0.5% of gross national income by 2015.

? In 2007-08, developmental assistance budget was 0.3% of GNI. The Government has increased that to 0.32%, with total development assistance of $3.7 billion.

? PNG and Pacific countries will get $999.5 million. Indonesia will receive $462 million, the Philippines $109.3 million and Vietnam $93.1 million.

? Afghanistan will get $122.4 million and Iraq $313.4 million.

© 2008 The Age

Back to News Index | Back to Home