MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS, ALEXANDER DOWNER, AND THE
AUSTRALIAN COUNCIL FOR OVERSEAS AID
The overwhelming majority of Australians support Australia's overseas aid
program according to a nationwide Newspoll survey commissioned by the Australian
Government's overseas aid agency AusAID, and the Australian Council for Overseas
Aid (ACFOA).
Conducted out in March this year, the Newspoll survey shows that 85% of
Australians surveyed support overseas aid an increase since the last poll was
conducted in 1998. The number of people who 'strongly support' overseas aid has
risen from 52 to 58%.
'I am pleased by the results of the survey. The Australian Government is
firmly committed to overseas aid and the survey shows the vast majority of
Australians strongly support this commitment' the Minister for Foreign Affairs,
Mr Alexander Downer said.
'Poverty reduction, ensuring peace, improving health and safeguarding the
environment are regarded by those surveyed as some of the most important issues
facing the world today.
'Australians believe we should give aid to look after those less fortunate,
for humanitarian and moral reasons, and because Australia is wealthy and can
afford it, ' Mr Downer said.
In addition to aid program funding provided by the Federal Government, public
support for overseas aid was illustrated in the survey finding that 50% of
Australians claim to have contributed money or time to an overseas aid agency in
the past 12 months.
'The survey indicates that most Australians believe we have a moral
responsibility to provide assistance to people suffering terrible poverty in
other countries' said Graham Tupper, Executive Director of the Australian
Council for Overseas Aid, the representative body for 95 non-government aid
organisations.
'This moral responsibility is more than just words in a survey. It is
reflected in a 30% increase in the voluntary giving of Australians to overseas
aid agencies since the last survey was undertaken in 1998,' Mr Tupper said.
The public opinion poll was carried out in accordance with a recommendation
made by the 1997 Simons Review of Australia's aid program. It called for regular
tracking of community attitudes towards overseas aid. The first survey was
carried out in 1998.
SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS:
- 85% of Australians support overseas aid.
- People who strongly support overseas aid have increased from 52% to 58%
since 1998. - Community attitudes towards overseas aid are more positive in 2001 than in
1998. - 51% of Australians believe aid should emphasise long-term
development. - There is statistically little difference between men and women in the
level of support for overseas aid. - 50% of Australians claim to have contributed money or time to an overseas
aid agency in the past 12 months. - The incidence of people claiming there is no need for an aid program
declined from 12% in 1998 to 9% in 2001. - 'Reducing poverty' is regarded as one of the most important issues facing
the world today, as are 'ensuring peace', 'improving health' and
'safe-guarding the environment'. - The three main reasons Australians believe Australia should have an
overseas aid program are to look after those who are less fortunate, for
humanitarian and moral reasons, and because Australia is wealthy and can
afford it.
Media contacts:
Matt Francis (Ministerial) 02 6277 7500 / 0419 206 890
Fionna Douglas (AusAID) 02 6206 4960 / 0412 804 489
Graham Tupper (ACFOA) 02 6285 1816 / 0408 261378
The complete Newspoll survey conducted into public opinion towards overseas
aid can be accessed from the AusAID internet site, www.ausaid.gov.au