Julie Bishop address to Council 2010
Aid Promise: On Track to Save Thousands of Lives
Tonight the Gillard Government has ensured Australia takes substantial steps towards reducing poverty in our region and beyond.
It was former Prime Minister John Howard who, in the year 2000, committed Australia to the very important promise of helping to halve global poverty by 2015.
"This aid budget focuses on the basics of poverty reduction: health and education," said Marc Purcell, Executive Director of the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID).
"The bipartisan promise to halve global poverty is being met as Australian aid moves to 0.35% of our national income," Mr Purcell said.
"This is a responsible move. 18 out of our 20 closest neighbours are developing countries. Some of them rank amongst the poorest nations in the world. It is the right thing for Australia to build a more secure, peaceful neighbourhood through the aid program."
ACFID applauds the increase in core funding to health in the aid budget, moving from 14 to 17% of total Australian aid. "Australian aid saves lives. It helps to inoculate children against life-threatening diseases and saves mothers from death during childbirth," Mr Purcell said.
"A key health measure is the allocation of $433.1 million over 4 years for water and sanitation initiatives. Currently 4,000 children die needlessly each day from preventable diseases caused by poor sanitation, inadequate hygiene and unclean water.
"Funding for Africa and the Middle East of $462.6 million is also welcome, given that Africa has largest number of people living in poverty in the world. Particularly important is the Government's focus on funding for maternal and child health, which meets a pledge made in 2010 at the UN.
"Australian aid also helps get kids into schools. The increased focus on basic education through commitments to train teachers, build schools and reduce fees are significant. ACFID welcomes the announcement of $124 million for schooling in the Pacific.
"We are pleased to see further funding for the elimination of violence against women, with $96 million being allocated to women's crisis centres and other initiatives over 4 years.
"It is disappointing however that there is no new meaningful spending for people living with disabilities. Without this, the poorest of the poor will not be reached.
"ACFID applauds the doubling of the Australian NGO Cooperation Program by 2014-15, which recognises the important work that aid and development NGOs undertake with support from the donating public.
"This budget represents a real commitment to poverty reduction. It will have a huge impact on the lives of thousands of men, women and children around the world,” Mr Purcell concluded.
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