Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Development Tanya Plibersek today announced that a Labor government would increase Australia’s aid budget by $30 million, with the increased funding supporting poverty alleviation programs delivered by Australian aid agencies.
CEO of ChildFund Australia Nigel Spence said: “Ms Plibersek’s comments are extremely welcome, as they demonstrate a commitment to rebuilding the Australian Aid program, which has suffered from a series of devastating cuts in recent years.
“Ms Plibersek has also highlighted the effective and valuable role that organisations such as ChildFund play at a grassroots level, delivering real improvements for children and families in the areas of education, child and maternal health, and water and sanitation.”
While Ms Plibersek stated that it was not possible to repair the aid program to former levels immediately, she will seek to enshrine in legislation the primary objective of Australia’s aid program: poverty reduction. She also stated that Labor would introduce new accountability measures.
“Equally welcome to the increase in funding is the focus on ensuring greater transparency of Australia’s aid program. This is absolutely vital,” said Mr Spence.
Aid agencies are currently calling on the Coalition Government to reconsider its fourth consecutive cut to the aid budget, planned for December as part of the Mid-Year Economic Forecast. This will reduce Australia’s aid program to its lowest historical level.
Mr Spence added: “We have been heartened to see Prime Minister Malcom Turnbull appoint Steve Ciobo to the new portfolio of International Development and the Pacific.
“Hopefully, this will translate to a renewed focus on the important role that Australia’s aid program plays in promoting prosperity, reducing poverty, lifting standards of living and enhancing stability in our region.”
ChildFund Alliance, a worldwide alliance of 12 children’s development organiations, is deeply concerned about the situation of children currently on the move in the large-scale refugee and migrant crisis across Europe.
Some of these children are unaccompanied, and others have lost their caregivers in the journey. All of them are in a vulnerable situation and at risk of different forms of violence, including child labour, sexual exploitation and trafficking.
ChildFund Alliance calls on governments to ensure that the rights of all displaced children are respected, regardless of their status as migrants or refugees, and in accordance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the Convention and Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees.
We further call on all actors to prioritise the protection of children on the move from all forms of violence and exploitation, whether in the countries of origin, transit or destination.
As a member of CONCORD, the European NGO Confederation for Relief and Development, ChildFund Alliance strongly supports its call for a series of key measures to be adopted by European Justice and Home Affairs Ministers. To meet the needs of today and prepare for tomorrow, we urge EU Member States to improve the quality of reception conditions for Syrian migrants, particularly children, and implement efficient asylum procedures that meet EU standards.
We strongly urge the international community to work toward negotiated solutions to the current crisis and its root causes. We also encourage EU Member States to continue to support the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), other UN entities and civil society organisations, and ensure their work in the countries of origin, transit and destination is appropriately funded.
Governments across the world, in particular Member States of the European Union (EU), must not forget their recently acquired commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which were adopted at the United Nations (UN) last week. They must strive to realise the vision of a world where children grow up free from violence and exploitation, and where the human rights of persons on the move are fully respected.
Through its international programming in 58 countries, ChildFund Alliance will continue its work to improve the lives of vulnerable children and help them achieve their rights, strengthening communities in countries where migration originates.
About ChildFund Alliance
A worldwide alliance of children’s development organisations, ChildFund Alliance work in 58 countries to improve the lives of vulnerable and excluded children, help them overcome poverty, and achieve their rights. Founded 75 years ago, our members, including ChildFund Australia, are not-for-profit organisations which work directly with children, families and their communities. Our vision is a world in which children realise their rights and achieve their potential. For the past three years, ChildFund Alliance has actively advocated for governments, multilateral institutions, and civil society to prioritise a world where children are free from violence and exploitation.
