Government delivers on election promise to boost international aid expenditure

ChildFund Australia today welcomed the Federal Government's commitment to supporting the world's poorest children and their families through increased aid. The Government announced last night that it will deliver on its election promise to boost the aid budget to 0.5 per cent of Australia's national income by 2015, with an increase to 0.35 per cent over the coming financial year. "This is a very good outcome for the most vulnerable children and families living in our region and beyond," says ChildFund Australia CEO Nigel Spence. "Australian aid initiatives are highly regarded internationally for their effectiveness and innovation. They deserve support. "The aid effort is contributing to real reductions in global poverty. It is why child deaths are declining, more children are in school, polio has been virtually eradicated, and deaths from malaria and HIV/AIDS are reducing worldwide. "Whether it is long-term development programs such as the ChildFund/AusAID APAC program assisting children affected by HIV/AIDS in east Africa, or the Australia-Indonesia Education Partnership, or humanitarian assistance in Haiti, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the Philippines, there are many examples of excellent Australian programs making a difference."