<
https://theconversation.com/australia-stands-firm-behind-its-foreign-aid-in-the-budget-but-the-future-remains-precarious-253028>
"This week’s budget will come as a relief to Australia’s neighbours in the
Indo-Pacific that rely on development assistance. The Albanese government did
not follow the lead of US President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir
Starmer in cutting its foreign aid.
The Trump administration froze foreign assistance and dismantled the US Agency
for International Development (USAID) when it came into office. Meanwhile, the
UK announced 40% aid cuts of its own.
It is to Australia’s credit this has not happened here. Australia’s development
budget remains intact this year and in forward estimates.
Sensible policymakers seem to recognise that Australia’s strategic
circumstances are different. As a nation surrounded by low- and middle-income
countries, Australia cannot vacate the field on development issues without
enormous reputational, diplomatic and strategic damage.
This budget shows Australia is committed to its region – with 75% of the
foreign assistance budget flowing to the Indo-Pacific – and sees development
partnerships as a way to solve shared problems."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
