Let’s talk: Is Australia doing its part?

On last night’s Q&A program on ABC, former prime minister of Denmark and Save the Children International CEO Helle Thorning-Schmidt posed a very interesting question to the panel.  

When the topic of the panel turned to financial aid that Australia gives to other countries, Ms Thoring-Schmidt said, “The only thing I can say is when your development is at an all-time low, which it is right now, it feels like Australia is not taking its place in the world”.  She added, “We kind of miss you. We miss Australia. Australia should be big, influential. Taking your space. Helping in humanitarian situations. Helping in development. You are doing that … but it would be better if it was a little bit more.”

The Australian’s Paul Kelly agreed and added, “There is not much political momentum in this country when you look at the overall political debate for increases in Australian foreign aid”.  He continued, “If you look at the left of politics, this is not a frontline issue for the left of politics at all. They’re interested in other things.

“And this facilitates the situation when you have a conservative government in office which is looking for savings, and a very easy form of savings is to cut the foreign aid budget because foreigners don’t vote in this country.”

Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg understood what they were saying but believes the government is “refocusing” the funding to the Asia-Pacific region.  He also stated that Australia has given $3.8 billion in aid and placed 12th highest in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development aid list. He also stated that Australia was the “first to respond” when there are problems in Fiji and Papua New Guinea.

What do you think?  Do you think Australia does its part on the world stage? Should Australia focus more on its own issues instead of giving the money to others?