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Australian aid statement: Long on rhetoric, short on detail
Media Release:
Australian aid statement: Long on rhetoric, short on detail.
By Tim O'Connor
2005-03-10 | Foreign Minister Downer released his annual aid statement today, unfortunately for the many so desperately in need in the region, Australia is still putting its commercial and security interests at the forefront.
Media Release:
March 10th 2005
Australias aid program is becoming more about the interests of Australians than the interests of the many so badly in need of assistance, according to Australias leading independent aid watchdog AID/WATCH.
Today the Foreign Minister made his annual statement on aid to Parliament, outlining the need for an aid program focused on economic growth and security, rather than focused on poverty alleviation, as is the international standard for aid delivery.
The statement illustrates that Australia is isolated from the international community, which prioritises the promotion of poverty alleviation as the prime objective of an effective aid program. Instead Foreign Minister Downer barely mentioned poverty alleviation.
Downer, in his statement stated, We dont rely on traditional solutions. An independent report by the OECD raised many questions about the effectiveness of the Australian aid program.
The OECD report questioned the security focus of Australias aid program and how that related to the alleviation of poverty.
Tim OConnor from AID/WATCH said, Todays statement by the Foreign Minister is a missed opportunity for Australian taxpayers and the aid program we fund.
Instead of highlighting how the people so badly affected by the tsunami would receive the billion there has been so much talk about, Australia is more interested in our own security and the commercial interests of our aid delivering companies, than about how we can really assist in the global quest to eliminate poverty. Mr OConnor concluded.
Australias aid program has stagnated at 0.25% of Gross National Income (GNI), the international standard by which aid is delivered. This figure has decreased from 0.33% of GNI since the Howard Government came to power in 1996 and consistently languished below the 0.7% target required to meet the Millennium Development Goals, to which Australia is a signatory.
For more information contact: Tim OConnor + 61 (0)2 9557 8944 or 0419 291 508
Source: Aid Watch
http://www.aidwatch.org.au/index.php?current=1&display=aw00683&display_item=2
Australian aid statement: Long on rhetoric, short on detail.
By Tim O'Connor
2005-03-10 | Foreign Minister Downer released his annual aid statement today, unfortunately for the many so desperately in need in the region, Australia is still putting its commercial and security interests at the forefront.
Media Release:
March 10th 2005
Australias aid program is becoming more about the interests of Australians than the interests of the many so badly in need of assistance, according to Australias leading independent aid watchdog AID/WATCH.
Today the Foreign Minister made his annual statement on aid to Parliament, outlining the need for an aid program focused on economic growth and security, rather than focused on poverty alleviation, as is the international standard for aid delivery.
The statement illustrates that Australia is isolated from the international community, which prioritises the promotion of poverty alleviation as the prime objective of an effective aid program. Instead Foreign Minister Downer barely mentioned poverty alleviation.
Downer, in his statement stated, We dont rely on traditional solutions. An independent report by the OECD raised many questions about the effectiveness of the Australian aid program.
The OECD report questioned the security focus of Australias aid program and how that related to the alleviation of poverty.
Tim OConnor from AID/WATCH said, Todays statement by the Foreign Minister is a missed opportunity for Australian taxpayers and the aid program we fund.
Instead of highlighting how the people so badly affected by the tsunami would receive the billion there has been so much talk about, Australia is more interested in our own security and the commercial interests of our aid delivering companies, than about how we can really assist in the global quest to eliminate poverty. Mr OConnor concluded.
Australias aid program has stagnated at 0.25% of Gross National Income (GNI), the international standard by which aid is delivered. This figure has decreased from 0.33% of GNI since the Howard Government came to power in 1996 and consistently languished below the 0.7% target required to meet the Millennium Development Goals, to which Australia is a signatory.
For more information contact: Tim OConnor + 61 (0)2 9557 8944 or 0419 291 508
Source: Aid Watch
http://www.aidwatch.org.au/index.php?current=1&display=aw00683&display_item=2
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