Australian Aid levels do not reflect our national values of generosity and fairness

As Treasurer Scott Morrison handed down the 2018 budget, there was no reprieve for Australia’s overseas development assistance (ODA) program. Following years of consecutive cuts, the government’s aid spend is on track to decline to just 19c in every $100 of gross national income by 2021-22.

Nigel Spence, CEO of ChildFund Australia said: “It is deeply disappointing to witness our aid program being reduced to its lowest level in history. It is an indictment of how little value we place on what is one of Australia’s most important strategic assets.

“Australian Aid not only improves conditions for some of the world’s poorest children and families, but it also serves our national interests by fostering inclusive economic growth, creating new trading markets, countering instability and reducing conflict in our region.”

Earlier this year, Australia’s declining aid levels were criticised by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, which stated that “the decline in aid flows, despite steady economic growth, has affected the scope of development and humanitarian programmes”.

Defence industry experts have also highlighted how the Australian aid program serves an important role in soft diplomacy, noting that instruments of ‘persuasion’ are just as necessary as instruments of war.

Mr Spence added: “We are the lucky country. Just last year, Australia recorded the longest run of uninterrupted economic growth in the developed world. It is clear that Australia can afford to look after those at home as well as support a generous aid program to help those in need in our region.”

“The shrinking aid budget reduces the investment available for girls’ education – which results in educated women who are healthier, earn higher incomes, and enable better healthcare and education for their children.

“The shrinking aid budget suggests we cannot afford to invest more in child health – which leads to an increase in child survival, a reduction in family size, and an increase in the proportion of the working population, thereby contributing to economic growth.

“These measures, as just two examples, result in increased prosperity for impoverished communities and contribute to a more prosperous, stable region which is clearly in Australia’s interest. These are investments which we cannot afford not to make.”

Currently, among its developed country peers, Australia has the 9^th largest economy of the 30 nations, yet in terms of generosity as an aid donor it is now at 19^th place, having fallen from 13^th in 2011.

Mr Spence said: “The Australian aid program should mirror our values as a nation – our commitment to responsible global citizenship, cooperation, fairness, generosity and compassion.

“Hundreds of thousands of individual Australians demonstrate these values on a daily basis through their support of international aid agencies – the importance of a fair go for all. It is time for our government to reflect these values in a strong, growing Australian Aid program.”

National polling released today shows 60 per cent of Australians believe the federal government should not cut foreign aid to fund tax cuts for big businesses.

Less than a quarter of Australians thought foreign aid should be cut to fund the big business tax cuts.

Nigel Spence, CEO of ChildFund Australia, an international development organisation that works to reduce poverty for children in the world’s most disadvantaged communities, said:

“With the federal budget being finalised for next week, we urge the government to act in line with the views of the majority of Australians by ruling out rumoured plans to cut the aid budget at a time when tax cuts are being proposed for big business.

“Our work is supported by over 50,000 individual Australians who care deeply about the wellbeing and safety of marginalised children around the world, particularly in the Asia Pacific region.

“I’ve recently returned from Laos, where ChildFund’s programs benefit from Australian government support. Our work is focused on reducing the high levels of child malnutrition, providing access to education and clean water, and lowering maternal and child mortality rates.

“Further Australian aid cuts would have a direct human cost to communities in Laos, and other countries with high levels of disadvantage. For too many children in our region, it would make finding a path out of poverty almost impossible.

“Australian aid not only improves conditions for the world’s poorest and most vulnerable children and families, but it serves Australia’s interests by fostering economic growth in the region, creating new markets, building human capital and reducing the risks of conflict and displacement.

“With our aid budget now at its lowest level in history, we urge the Australian Government to reconsider further reductions. Australian aid is such an important and vital strategic asset – not only in reducing poverty for impoverished communities, but in increasing the prosperity and security of Australians at home.”