Opinion pieces

1 - 10 of 14 results

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

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

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

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

High Hopes Dashed as Australia's Generous Soul Keeps Shrinking

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

This year, World Vision was hoping for a visionary budget. Instead, Australia’s dwindling foreign aid funding demonstrated dumb economics and provided stark evidence of Australia’s moral famine.

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

Australia retreats from global challenges in hour of need

Thursday, December 11, 2014

There are some things we as a nation want to stop from happening. The continued spread of Ebola, which is delivering a dividend of misery across West Africa, and may eventually reach our shores, is one of them. The suffering of millions of people in Syria and neighbouring countries is another.

Opinion Pieces, Poverty, Syrian Refugee Crisis, West Africa Ebola Outbreak, Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Middle East, Eastern Europe & Central Asia, Australian Government, Budget Cuts, Foreign Aid, NGO, The Fred Hollows Foundation, Tim Costello

Slashing foreign aid reflects poorly on Australia

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Much is made of the need for a changed 'mindset' in the budget rhetoric. But what if the decisions outlined in this statement of government priorities appear to change a mindset that is beneficial, even admired?

Opinion Pieces, Poverty, Asia and the Pacific, Australian Government, Budget Cuts, C20, Foreign Aid, G20, Tim Costello, Tony Abbott, United Kingdom

Australia's aid charities need clarity over cuts

Monday, January 13, 2014

Since announcing their $4.5bn cut to Australia’s aid program, the Federal Government have insisted that it is all about ensuring our aid dollars are effectively deployed in the service of Australia’s best interests. In most cases this appears to boil down to encouraging economic development in our poorest neighbours.

Opinion Pieces, Poverty, Asia and the Pacific, Australian Government, Budget Cuts, Foreign Aid, NGO, Tim Costello

Diverting foreign aid sets dangerous precedent

Thursday, December 12, 2013

The federal government has dropped a bombshell on poor communities in developing countries, just in time for Christmas. After delaying its promise on aid at the May budget, the government now plans to divert $375 million of Australia's much-needed aid budget to fund domestic refugee programs, making Australia the third largest recipient of Australian aid.

Opinion Pieces, Poverty, Asia and the Pacific, Australian Government, Budget Cuts, Caritas, Foreign Aid, Jack de Groot, Tim Costello

Looking for a better life, not just wealth

Sunday, September 1, 2013

In his inaugural address in 1961, John F. Kennedy famously called on Americans to ''ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country''. The leaders of Australia's major political parties, on the other hand, appear to be appealing directly to our self-interest.

Opinion Pieces, Poverty, Asia and the Pacific, Australian Conservation Foundation, Australian Government, Budget Cuts, Don Henry, Tim Costello, Tony Abbott