AUSTRALIA 
Foreign aid to be boosted
Tuesday, 13 May, 2008
Survivors of Cyclone Nargis reach out to receive food aid in the outskirts of Rangoon. (Getty Images)
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Foreign Aid has come under the spotlight in this year's Federal Budget.
Australia is to substantially boost spending on foreign aid, with the government promising funding will reach 0.5 per cent of gross national income (GNI) within seven years.
Mr Smith said that was the highest ratio of foreign aid to GNI since Labor was last in power in 1995-96.
He said the extra spending would boost the fight against global poverty through strengthened partnerships with key United Nations development agencies.
There will be $140 million over three years to expand humanitarian and reconstruction assistance to Iraq and $300 million over four years to promote improved access to clean water and sanitation.
Another $150 million will go to helping vulnerable communities adapt to climate change.
Australia will also provide extra funding of $25.6 million for aid to Afghanistan, taking it to a total of $39.3 million over two years.
Pacific nations will gain significant additional funding, including $54 million over four years to improve land title administration, a longstanding cause of conflict in some countries.
Another $127 million over four years will be invested to improve basic infrastructure services. As well, $107 million over four years will be spent on strengthening the public sector in Pacific
nations.
"The new package of measures contained in this budget will sharpen the focus of Australia's development assistance program on practical development outcomes and improved quality of life," he said.
But Australians travelling abroad will pay more for their passports, with the basic adult fee rising from $200 to $208 from July 1. All other categories of passport will also increase in cost.
The government will provide an extra $50 million in 2009-10 to modernise the export markets development grant (EMDG) scheme, which aims to help Australian businesses sell their products abroad.
Trade Minister Simon Crean said this would increase the maximum grant from $50,000 to $200,000 and allow approved not for profit development groups, such as tourism bodies, to access the scheme.
"For the first time we will have a single integrated service for globalising Australian businesses - a service that reflects the new realities of trade and investment," he said.
Australia is to substantially boost spending on foreign aid, with the government promising funding will reach 0.5 per cent of gross national income (GNI) within seven years.
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Mr Smith said that was the highest ratio of foreign aid to GNI since Labor was last in power in 1995-96.
He said the extra spending would boost the fight against global poverty through strengthened partnerships with key United Nations development agencies.
There will be $140 million over three years to expand humanitarian and reconstruction assistance to Iraq and $300 million over four years to promote improved access to clean water and sanitation.
Another $150 million will go to helping vulnerable communities adapt to climate change.
Australia will also provide extra funding of $25.6 million for aid to Afghanistan, taking it to a total of $39.3 million over two years.
Pacific nations will gain significant additional funding, including $54 million over four years to improve land title administration, a longstanding cause of conflict in some countries.
Another $127 million over four years will be invested to improve basic infrastructure services. As well, $107 million over four years will be spent on strengthening the public sector in Pacific
nations.
"The new package of measures contained in this budget will sharpen the focus of Australia's development assistance program on practical development outcomes and improved quality of life," he said.
But Australians travelling abroad will pay more for their passports, with the basic adult fee rising from $200 to $208 from July 1. All other categories of passport will also increase in cost.
The government will provide an extra $50 million in 2009-10 to modernise the export markets development grant (EMDG) scheme, which aims to help Australian businesses sell their products abroad.
Trade Minister Simon Crean said this would increase the maximum grant from $50,000 to $200,000 and allow approved not for profit development groups, such as tourism bodies, to access the scheme.
"For the first time we will have a single integrated service for globalising Australian businesses - a service that reflects the new realities of trade and investment," he said.
