The Wire

Despite running budget surpluses for the last 10 years, Australia has made a name for itself as a miser. It contributes just approximately 0.3 percent of the gross national income towards overseas aid to tackle global poverty. The ALP is pledging $300 million to new overseas water and sanitation aid. While this new focus on water and sanitation is welcomed, the commitment has seen reductions in other areas of the aid budget and no extra funding. Both federal political parties have looked into increasing budget allocations, but none are stepping up anywhere near the level of contribution by other OECD countries.