Australia sinks to 19th in global aid ranking
Tuesday, April 10, 2018
Australia’s leading humanitarian agency, World Vision is calling on the Australian Government to boost aid, after Australia’s global aid ranking fell for the third consecutive year to 19th.
The latest OECD report of 29 wealthy countries shows Australia has dropped from 17th in last year’s rankings to 19th in terms of relative generosity; just 10 places above the lowest ranking country, Hungary.
World Vision Australia Chief Advocate Tim Costello says Australia’s ranking is disappointing, particularly compared with the United Kingdom, which is ranked three times as generous as Australia.
“The UK has maintained its aid levels over the past decade, despite economic challenges, because of a bipartisan commitment not to balance the budget on the back of the world’s most vulnerable people. Meanwhile Australia’s government has continuously slashed our aid budget, this year falling behind Italy to 19th in the OECD’s rankings,” Mr Costello said.
“There is always another way but yet again, Australia isn’t doing its fair share and it’s humiliating - for all the world to see.”
In just a few short years, Australia has gone from giving 33 cents for every $100 of Gross National Income generated in 2012-13 to record lows. Australia Now gives only 23 cents of every $100, according to the latest OECD data.
Based on the 2017-18 budget, the downward spiral is set to continue.
“What’s even more concerning are recent reports that the Australian Government may soon hand down further cuts to the aid budget at a time when we should be doing more not less.”
World Vision Australia is calling for the decimated aid budget to be restored to .33 per cent of GNI over the next six years.
“It’s saddening that we aren’t on track to meet our international commitment but it’s not as if there isn’t hope,” Mr Costello said.
“Australian people are among the most generous in the world. Last year saw Australia rank sixth in the Charities Aid Foundation’s World Giving Index but our aid budget currently doesn’t reflect that level of generosity.
“The Australian Government can and does have the choice to turn this around and restore our reputation as a country that cares.”
Currently, 65 million people around the world are displaced – the largest number in recorded history.
Speaking from India where aid makes a significant difference in the lives of so many every day, Mr Costello said: “The challenges of the 21st Century are global in nature and preventable humanitarian tragedies are happening every day. Aid is part of the solution to solving these challenges.”
World Vision has spokespeople available for comment.
Media contact: Brianna Piazza, 0408 624 934, brianna.piazza@worldvision.com.au
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