Both major political parties in Australia have promised to help lift more people, particularly children, out of poverty by increasing Australia’s foreign aid program to 0.5 per cent of Gross National Income by 2015. At the moment it’s just 0.35 per cent.
However, over the last few weeks, various statements by Prime Minister Gillard and news reports have suggested that this commitment may be postponed. With over a billion people still living in poverty and 21,000 children still dying every day, Compassion Australia is just one of the aid agencies calling on the government to keep their promise. Their Executive Director of Advocacy, DJ Konz, joined me on my Morning Cafe radio program to discuss the issue this week.
We all know that when we have to tighten our financial belts at home we have to decide what’s essential and what extras we can live without. The Australian government’s in a similar position as they try to bring the budget back in to surplus. I asked DJ why it’s essential for Australia that we keep sending money overseas.
You can hear our discussion by clicking the play button on the audio player below.
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