UNICEF Australia has welcomed the call from Australia’s business leaders for Australia’s major parties to commit to giving 0.5 per cent of Gross National Income as aid by 2016.
A public letter published today calls for a bipartisan commitment to Australia's aid budget and is backed by prominent business people from Qantas, Macquarie Bank, IKEA, the likes of former Australian of the Year and Macquarie Group executive chairman Simon McKeon.
Mr Simon McKeon from Macquarie Bank and 2011Australian of the year said he supported the call for both parties to meet their aid commitments because aid promotes national security and stability and is therefore in the interest of all Australians.
Australian Institute of Company Directors fellow Gaye Hart said: "Australia is the only developed country in the world that is surrounded by developing countries. It is in our interest to ensure economic prosperity and stability in our region."
UNICEF Australia's spokesperson Tim O'Connor said the more than 30 CEOs and business leaders who had signed the public letter showed that the reasons for aid went beyond mere ethical concerns. "Aid has made enormous progress in saving lives and building the foundations for a prosperous economy through increasing the quality of education, improved health care and access to clean water.
"Australian aid is also fundamental to building stronger markets for Australian business while doing the basic things that build the foundations for a stronger economy: water systems, improving health care and getting more children into school," Mr O’Connor said.
"Business leaders understand there are primary factors that build a strong society and strong economy and that aid plays a crucial role in establishing these foundations," he said.
"This is further evidence that previous commitments made by both major political parties to spend 0.5 per cent of Gross National Income on international aid by 2016 is fundaental to our long-term economic, security and national stability."
TO READ THE LETTER, CLICK HERE
For more information, please contact:
Tim O’Connor, UNICEF Australia
02 8917 3247 / 0435 206 273
toconnor@unicef.org.au