Increase in Australian aid budget welcomed

ChildFund Australia welcomes the Australian government’s move to increase the Australian aid budget in 2022-23 to $4.549 billion (from an originally estimated $4.335 billion in 2021-22), and the announcement of $324.4 million for the Pacific and Timor-Leste to help COVID-19 recovery. The budget outlined on Tuesday evening, includes particular attention to new humanitarian funding and allocation for COVAX to increase much needed COVID-19 vaccination in the region. Budget measures in-brief

• Two-year, $324.4 million package of economic and social support for the Pacific and Timor-Leste to help recover from COVID-19;
• Ring-fenced $85 million for COVAX to tackle vaccine global inequity; and
• Spending $65 million on much-needed humanitarian to Ukraine.

From this year (2022-23), the Government will add 2.5% to the what it defines as the ‘base’ aid program. While this increase is termed ‘indexation’, it is important to note that this figure falls short of the most recent CPI figures of 4.25 per cent in 2021-22 and 3 per cent for 2022-23. Margaret Sheehan, CEO ChildFund Australia said, “ChildFund Australia welcomes the increase in Australian aid for the Pacific and Timor Leste, the commitment to addressing regional health security,   – as well as the increased humanitarian funding for Ukraine and complex emergencies.”