MEDIA RELEASE
May 11, 2010
Australian aid budget delivers for world’s poor.
Caritas Australia welcomes the Government’s budget commitment to increase Australia’s Official
Development Assistance (ODA) for 2010/11 and strengthen its support for Australian aid and
development organisations.
Tonight the Rudd Government announced a 9 percent real increase ($530 million) to Australia’s aid
program keeping Australia on track to meet its commitment of 0.5 percent GNI by 2015.
Caritas Australia’s CEO, Jack de Groot said, “We welcome the government’s continued commitment to
stand in solidarity with the most vulnerable members of our global community. In the 2010/11 financial
year the marginal communities supported by aid and development agencies, like Caritas Australia, will
benefit from $135 million set aside for Non-government Organisations.
“We’re particularly welcome this additional funding for Non Government Organisations as we have a
strong track record of targeting the poorest communities.
“This additional funding will enable organisations like Caritas Australia to broaden our development
initiatives around the world and strengthen our efforts to support and empower vulnerable and
marginalised communities”, said Mr de Groot.
“Caritas Australia also welcomes AusAID’s commitment to undertake a long overdue review of its
technical assistance funding over the following year. In addition,
moves to secure AusAID’s ongoing
independence are a positive step in delivering a more effective aid program.”
With an overarching focus on governance, education, health, infrastructure and the environmental
initiatives, the Australian Government tonight committed to expand its development assistance in
Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.
“Caritas will be watching closely to ensure the Australian Government adheres to its international
development commitments and we will continue to mobilise our hundreds of thousands of supporters
across Australia to advocate for an increase in our aid program to 0.7% and a more effective, poverty
focused aid program.”
Media Contact: Erin Jardine 0408 869 833 or Tim O’Connor 0417 284 831
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