Since 2013 the government has cut $11 billion from the aid Australia sends to countries in need. The current budget continues this trend. Australia is 3rd on the Human Development Index but 19th in giving to overseas aid. We have never been so rich and we have never given so little.
This makes a difference to GMP because some of our projects receive some funding from the Australian Aid program. It makes a bigger difference to our partners and many others who live in dire need of education, health and other basic services. For them, it will mean more people will die unnecessarily. It also makes a difference for all Australians because we cannot call ourselves a good neighbour any longer.
A good neighbour, of course, is what Christ calls us to be (Luke 10:25-37). One way to encourage Australia to be a better neighbour is by joining with Micah Australia to amplify this message.
Australian Aid generosity as measured by aid as a proportion of Gross National Income.
Image from https://www.lowyinstitute.org/issues/australian-foreign-aid