Aid budget will help world's children

Additional funding to water and sanitation programs will save tens of thousands of lives, says Ian Wishart, our chief executive.

The Gillard Government's Budget maintains a commitment to the world's poor that will save and improve the lives of children and their communities throughout our region and beyond.

Last night we commended the Government for sticking to its promised timetable for the aid budget reaching 0.5 per cent of Australia’s national income by 2015.

Our chief executive Ian Wishart welcomed news that the aid budget will make up the previously promised 0.35 per cent of national income in the coming year’s budget. 

"This aid budget is consistent with the promises that the Government has made to the world’s poor, a commitment that is supported by the Opposition. It is a great step towards ensuring that Australia does its fair share as a good international citizen."

Mr Wishart said that the Government’s commitment of $433.1 million of additional funding to water and sanitation programs over the next four years would save tens of thousands of lives.

"Water-borne disease is one of the biggest killers of children in the developing world; 4000 children die every day from diseases related to water, sanitation and hygiene," said Mr Wishart.

"Investments in sanitation and hygiene are some of the most cost-effective child health interventions. Great gains have been made over recent years with support from Australian aid money. The Government has now demonstrated an ongoing commitment to ensuring the world’s children get every opportunity to survive and grow up healthy."

Mr Wishart also welcomed the Government’s ongoing commitment to education, which takes up the largest share of the Australian aid budget.

"A good portion of the $124.5 million dollars committed to education initiatives in the Pacific, along with commitments in Pakistan and Laos, will fund early childhood education programs. This is a important first step towards devoting more of Australia’s aid budget to this crucial area of anti-poverty work," said Mr Wishart.

“Money spent at the beginning of a child’s life has far greater impact on their life chances than expensive tertiary training. We encourage the Government to build on the commitment and dedicate 10 per cent of the education portion of the aid budget to these kinds of programs in future budgets.

"There is strong evidence that quality early childhood education programs that address all aspects of a child’s development - nutrition, play, intellectual stimulation, health and protection – lay the foundation for a child’s future, and the future of their nation," he said.

Editor’s notes:

Ian Wishart is available for comment.

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