A statement regarding foreign aid

The decision by Prime Minister Tony Abbott to integrate AusAID back into the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is a thinly veiled attempt to save money at the expense of Australia’s aid programs.

Combined with the recent Coalition announcement that $4.5bn will be slashed from the foreign aid budget and the scrapping of a specific Minister for International Development it is clear the new government is not committed to effective foreign aid.

This has a significant impact on our international responsibilities, our reputation and our region.

Andrew Wilkie MP, Independent Member for Denison