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April 5th, 2012 
FAKE NEWS for the Zionist agenda Charities have lined up to warn the federal government against breaking its promise to deliver a rapid increase in Australia’s foreign aid spending.
The government reportedly is considering abandoning a long-standing bipartisan commitment to boost the aid program to 0.5 per cent of gross national income by 2015/16.
The reports say Labor may push the deadline back by up to five years, which would save the budget up to $1 billion and help Treasurer Wayne Swan deliver a promised surplus next month.
Oxfam executive director Andrew Hewett on Thursday urged the government not to follow that course.
“All we’re asking is for the government to stick to its promises, and stick to the trajectory that they outlined in the forward estimates last year,” he told AAP.
“Australia’s got a real interest in having a good quality, well-resourced aid program.”
The government last year boosted foreign aid by almost half a billion dollars to $4.84 billion in 2011/12 – equal to about 0.35 per cent of GNI.
Former foreign minister Kevin Rudd said at the time the government remained committed to the target of 0.5 per cent – equal to about $8 billion – by 2015/16.
But some fear that with Mr Rudd now on the backbench the government’s commitment is wavering, even though it was an election promise in both 2007 and 2010.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard has repeatedly reaffirmed her support for the 2015/16 target but failed to do so when asked about aid on television at the weekend.
World Vision boss Tim Costello said the promised boost would make an enormous difference to poor people around the world.
“The prime minister stated as recently as December 2011 that this commitment was on track and we expect her to keep that promise given so many lives are at stake,” he said.
Save the Children said delaying the increase would have “dire consequences” for the poorest children in Australia’s region and could cost lives.
The Australian Christian Lobby said the commitment should be honoured.
“At a time when Australians are becoming more and more cynical about politics, the last thing that is needed is another broken election promise,” managing director Jim Wallace said.
Australian Greens aid spokeswoman Lee Rhiannon urged the government not to break another promise.
“Cutting the aid program is small-minded and would further damage Labor’s public standing,” she said.
“Holding the government to its promise will be an important test of the influence and ability of Foreign Minister Bob Carr.”
Mr Hewett rejected suggestions that the government’s aid agency, AusAID, is struggling to allocate the increases it’s already been given during the past few years.
Australia now gives about 35 cents in every $100 to overseas aid, ranking 13th in the OECD.
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