Sharing The Planet
To The Australian Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Apparently, the Netherlands set aside about 1% of their GDP for foreign aid. And I hear that the people would not allow their government to reduce the rate. Australia gives about 0.3%.
I believe that most Australians are also embarrassed about the huge gulf between our standard of living and our fellow humans in very poor places. One citizen feels pretty helpless. But the majority would gladly authorise one per cent of the national cake to respond to the voices of desperation. Immediate relief or survival infrastructure? Both are important: follow a principle, avoid delay, and distruibute the aid half and half.
I imagine any government would be afraid to make this move without a clear mandate. So let the media campaign for a referendum on this matter. To save wasting time and money, let the referendum question be part of the federal poll later this year.
Philip O'Carroll