Australias record low level of overseas development assistance has plunged even further as the Turnbull Government makes unthinkable additional cuts to our aid budget.
Having already slashed $11 billion from the aid program under her watch, Minister Bishop has again failed dismally, with cuts to outlays in each of the next four years totalling more than $140 million.
Australia's diminishing influence in our region should have acted as a wakeup call. Instead, the Turnbull Government has continued on its disastrous path of cuts to aid, and lessening influence which can only further weaken Australias standing.
By contrast, New Zealand yesterday committed to a significant increasing in aid funding that will be heavily prioritised towards the Pacific.
Unlike the Turnbull Government, New Zealand gets it, describing its decision to boost aid funding as a "clear demonstration" to the international community that New Zealand was serious in addressing global and regional challenges and helping people in need.
New Zealands decision lifts the countrys Overseas Development Assistance to 0.28 per cent of gross national income over the next four years.
Here in Australia the Budget has delivered the weakest levels of Australian development assistance in history, spending just 22 cents in every $100 of our national income on foreign aid in 2018-19.
Over the next decade this will get even worse, with the Turnbull Governments budget figures forecasting our international development program will fall to just 0.16 per cent of GNI.
Australia has a deep interest in contributing to global poverty alleviation, and our international development program supports security and stability in our region.
The Foreign Ministers own DFAT White Paper, released late last year declares Australia's overseas aid program aims to help developing countries reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development in line with Australia's national interest.
The Turnbull Governments cuts to development assistance are already a source of international embarrassment for Australia, and are at odds with the generous spirit of the Australian people.
A Shorten Labor Government will contribute more to international development assistance than the current Government. And we will ensure more of it gets to the people who it is meant to be assisting.
Labor has repeatedly urged the Turnbull Government to return to a properly bipartisan approach to international development assistance.
Instead of continuing to prioritise massive tax cuts for big business, Julie Bishop must join Labor in committing to lifting Australias embarrassingly low level of international development assistance.
Authorised by Noah Carroll ALP Canberra