Opinion pieces

1 - 10 of 106 results

The Way Australia Cooks its Refugee Books is Just Not Cricket

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

We have little to be proud of in our treatment of refugees. We need to honestly shine a light on our country's shame.

Opinion Pieces, Foreign Aid, Refugee Crisis, Refugee Camp, Refugees, Claire Rogers

China May Have Spurred Australia's Aid Spending, But it Will Pay Off

Monday, June 18, 2018

The Government's agreement to fund the undersea cable between Australia and the Solomon Islands demonstrates that the importance and effectiveness of development assistance generally is now dawning on more minds in Canberra.

Opinion Pieces, Asia and the Pacific, Foreign Aid, Tim Costello, Solomon Islands

Why Feeding the World’s Hungry is Actually About Trees

Tuesday, June 5, 2018

African farmers are successfully tackling the environmental dilemma that Western experts couldn’t – and the results can be seen from space.

Opinion Pieces, Africa, Environment, Famine, Humanitarian, International Development, World Vision, Farmers

Heartbroken for the Lost Children of Nauru

Friday, June 1, 2018

In 145 days, Australia will celebrate International Children's Day. My hope is that, by then, Australia's shame and the lost children of Nauru will be things of the past, and the children and their families will be resettled, safe and free.

Opinion Pieces, Asia and the Pacific, Asylum Seekers, Children's Rights, Refugee Crisis, Refugee Camp, Australian Government, Refugees, Child Health, Claire Rogers

Bishop Curry's Royal Message of Love Exposes our own Deep Flaws

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Rev Michael Curry’s sermon from the Windsor Chapel pulpit rang an exhilarating bell in the staid Royal congregation. Here was something living and breathing inside something that people felt needed life and breath. Love is the only way. Everyone matters. And that includes the poor and the downtrodden.

Opinion Pieces, Asia and the Pacific, Africa, Latin America and Carribean, Middle East, Eastern Europe & Central Asia, Tim Costello, Indigenous, Humanitarian, Australian Government, Refugees

A Budget to Lift Election Prospects, But not to Help the World's Poor and Displaced

Wednesday, May 16, 2018

The Coalition Government’s fifth budget last week was carefully calibrated to offer just enough to a discontented electorate to restart the political contest ahead of the poll expected early next year. Yet again Australia’s battered aid program took a hit.

Opinion Pieces, Foreign Aid, Tim Costello, Humanitarian, Budget Cuts, Australian Government

As Our Wallets Get Bigger Our Hearts Get Smaller

Monday, May 14, 2018

The 2018 Federal Budget revealed an even uglier picture of Australia’s miserly approach to the poorest people in the world. A further $141 million was cut from the aid budget. This was on top of the $303 million slashed last year. As Australia becomes richer, we give less, even as other less affluent countries give more.

Opinion Pieces, Asia and the Pacific, Africa, Latin America and Carribean, Middle East, Eastern Europe & Central Asia, Humanitarian, Uganda, Budget Cuts, Australian Government, Child Deaths, World Vision, Child Health

Five Things the Australian Government Should do to be a Global Compacts Leader

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Globally, developing nations – who have financial and security struggles of their own – host 84 per cent of the world’s refugees. Wealthy nations, including Australia, should be doing far more to support displaced people.

Opinion Pieces, Asia and the Pacific, Africa, Latin America and Carribean, Middle East, Eastern Europe & Central Asia, Asylum Seekers, Humanitarian, Australian Government, Refugees

Cricket Ball Tamperers Outrage us, But Pollies Get Away With Cheating on World's Poorest

Thursday, March 29, 2018

As our Federal politicians, many of them with a personal faith, head into their Easter break to contemplate Jesus's teachings, the message of generosity and fairness is as relevant to secular Australia as it is to Christians.

Opinion Pieces, Asia and the Pacific, Africa, Latin America and Carribean, Middle East, Eastern Europe & Central Asia, Tim Costello, AUSAID, Humanitarian, Budget Cuts, Australian Government

Australia’s Global Rights Carry Global Duties

Tuesday, March 27, 2018

Australia cannot convincingly preach adherence to international norms while spurning international obligations and making up its own rules when it chooses.

Opinion Pieces, Asia and the Pacific, Africa, Latin America and Carribean, Middle East, Eastern Europe & Central Asia, Tim Costello, Asylum Seekers, Budget Cuts, Australian Government