Aid budget 'to be reduced'

Aid budget 'to be reduced'

WA Greens Senator Christabel Chamarette has warned the federal government against reducing the level of overseas aid in the May 10 budget. "No doubt the government will talk about an 'increase in real dollar terms', but the sad truth is that the level of aid as a proportion of GDP will probably fall", she said.

The United Nations has recommended that developed countries allocate 0.7% of GDP to official development aid. criticised the government for never reaching the target, which it supposedly supports.

"Since the election of the Hawke government in 1983, the trend has been downward", Chamarette said. In 1993-94, 0.35% of GDP was allocated to aid. The WA Greens are concerned that for 1994-95 it will be as low as 0.33%.

"Regardless of whether the economy is growing or in decline, the government seems to have some handy excuse to avoid meeting its international obligations in this crucial area", said Chamarette.

"It is time the government matched the level of community concern with action in the budget."

From GLW issue 141