UPDATED 20th January, 2014
Australian aid has gone backwards for the first time since 2000 – an "uncomfortable reality" in the light of Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s September statement that the Coalition was "not cutting foreign aid, just simply reducing the rate of growth", says Micah Challenge Australia’s Ben Thurley.
Speaking following the Coalition’s weekend announcement showing where the $625 million in cuts to the foreign aid budget – first announced just prior to the federal election – will take effect, Mr Thurley – political engagement coordinator for the network, says: "Not only is it unacceptable as a wealthy nation that we pull back on generosity towards our global neighbours, but it is highly disconcerting to have our Prime Minister’s trustworthiness called into question in this way."
Micah Challenge says that while cuts affect all regions and programs in the foreign aid budget, Sub-Saharan Africa, global environment programs and humanitarian relief will receive the deepest.
Mr Thurley says while the network was not surprised by the cuts – part of a planned $4.5 billion drop in the aid budget over the next four years – they were "extremely disappointed", and pointed out that the weekend announcement came after thousands of Micah Challenge supporters had urged the government to reverse the decision.
"Cuts of this size reduce the ability of Australia’s aid to help save lives, educate children and build security and stability in our region and beyond."
Earlier, World Vision Australia chief executive Tim Costello said it was "deeply disappointing" that the government appeared to be walking away from its commitment to boost funding to Australian aid and development NGOs.
“Increased illness amongst children without access to immunisation and clean water, greater health risks for mothers, and fewer opportunities for girls are just some of the very real consequences that will flow from the Government”s decision to cut this funding," he said.
World Vision says the cuts would directly affect the organisation’s programs aimed at providing clean water and improving access to health services and educational and vocational opportunities.
And the Australian Christian Lobby said the cuts had come as a "big disappointment" to Christians who believe Australia should be generous with its aid.
Noting that Christians had been at the forefront of the campaign for Australia to meet its Millennium Development Goal promises – including lifting aid to 0.7 per cent of gross national income by 2015, ACL managing director Lyle Shelton pointed out that despite a worse economic situation in the UK, that country was on track to meet the MDG promise this financial year.
"If the UK can do it, so can we," he said.
Mr Shelton said while the ACL was grateful for the coalition election promise to increase aid to 0.5 per cent of GNI, a time frame should be set "as soon as practicable".
~ www.aid.dfat.gov.au/Publications/Documents/program-allocations.pdf
