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2013/16: Should Australia's foreign aid be reduced?
Introduction to the media issue
Video clip at right:A September 25, 2013, ABC Australia Network news report on the Australian government's announcement that the agency AusAID is to be absorbed into the Department of Foreign Affairs and scaled down. If you cannot see this clip, it will be because video is blocked by your network. To view the clip, access from home or from a public library, or from another network which allows viewing of video clips.
What they said...
'I think what we are seeing is money being robbed from the world's poor to fund controversial tollways'
Michael Sheldrick, the West Australian finalist for young Australian of the Year
'The best thing we can do for our country and ultimately the best thing we can do for people around the world is to strengthen our economy'
Tony Abbott, Australia's Prime Minister
The issue at a glance
During the September 2013 election campaign the then shadow treasurer, Joe Hockey, announced that were the Coalition elected to govern the normal growth in foreign aid funding would be reduced by $4.5 billion over the next four years.
The Coalition also removed the timeline for Australia to contribute 0.5 per cent of its Gross National Income to overseas aid - which was part of Australia's commitment to the Millennium Development Goals.