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7 October 2004

AUSTRALIANS SPEND MORE ON PETS THAN OFFICIAL FOREIGN AID 

The most recent edition of Ozspirit deals with the issue of Overseas Aid. In an article highlighting the lack of priority given to overseas aid by Australia the Australia Institute estimates that more than $2.2 billion was spent on pets last year, compared to the Federal Government's official development assistance of less than $2 billion.

During the term of office of the present government Australia’s level of aid has declined from .32% of GDP to .25% of GDP despite Australia’s pledge to raise the level of assistance to .7% of GDP which developed nations agreed was the level necessary to halve world poverty by 2015.

The issue has largely been ignored in the lead up to the election although both minor parties have pledged to urgently move towards lifting the level of aid to the agreed target.

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