World Vision CEO Responds To His Brother!

“This budget shows a welcome commitment to meeting the current target of a $4 billion aid program by 2010, but the point is that this Government has set the bar too low,” Mr Costello said.

“If we are to tackle the root causes of poverty we need to be doing much more, particularly given the buoyant economic climate in Australia. We are a rich nation and if we are to be a respected one we should be showing international leadership in development assistance, not languishing at the lower end of the giving table.”

“The aid budget commitment of $3.15 billion at a surface glance appears to be a significant contribution, but it shrinks into perspective when you consider that it represents just 30 cents in every $100 of our gross domestic product.

“When we have a massive budget surplus of $10.6 billion the 700 million people living in poverty in our region might have expected more.”

However, Mr Costello said that there were some very welcome initiatives in the aid budget including important increases in funding for education, health and infrastructure and indications of ongoing increases in these sectors in coming years. The Government’s aim to increase by 10 million the number of boys and girls in school by 2010 was particularly commendable.

“We also welcome the $10 million increase in funding for the AusAID-NGO Cooperation Program. This increase reflects the public trust placed in development NGOs like World Vision which contribute so much to the cause of tackling poverty,” Mr Costello said.

While recognising that aid was one of many competing priorities in the budget, Mr Costello said that the Government appeared to be missing important connections between development and other interests.

“There is no doubt that we have a moral imperative to help our developing neighbours. However, there are strong business, environmental and national interests that are also served when we strive to overcome poverty, desperation and despair.”