The most important question that many Aussies want to answer while ALBO hands $ 5 billion abroad: your money has been here

The Australian government Foreign help Handouts to other countries is at the highest level in a decade, but one think tank says that the amount must be greatly increased.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers In the March budget, the Australia’s official development aid – the money it sends to foreign countries – would exceed $ 5 billion for the first time in ten years.

Much of that financing went to Nations in the Indo-Pacific, while the government is trying to combat China‘Growing influence in the region.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong At the time, the increase in financing was intended to “focus on guaranteeing the stability and security of our region.”

‘In these uncertain times we ensure that the development aid from Australia goes to the Pacific and Southeast AsiaWhere the interests of Australia are most at stake, “she added.

The $ 2.2 billion in tax money given to neighboring countries is intended to support infrastructure, connectivity, tourism, trade, banking and labor mobility.

Papua -New Guinea was the largest single recipient, with $ 707 million to AID planned for 2025/26, without counting the $ 600 million that will receive it for a team for more than ten years to become a member of the National Rugby League.

Indonesia, which has more than ten times the population of Australia, receives $ 351.4 million.

Three -quarters of the overseas auxiliary financing of Australia – $ 2.2 billion – went to countries in the Indo -Pacific, while the government tries to combat the growing influence of China in the region (depicted: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the Pacific Islands Forum in 2023)

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wanted to strengthen the relationship with Indonesia when he traveled to Jakarta on his first official visit since he was re -elected on 3 May.

This enthusiasm was underlined when Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto called Albanian to congratulate him on his landslide victory.

“I have a request for you, and I want you to say yes,” Albanian told his counterpart.

“I want Indonesia to be my first visit. Not Washington, not in Beijing, not anywhere else. ‘

The Solomon Islands became third with just $ 171 million, Timor-Leste fourth with almost $ 136 million and the Philippines fifth with $ 124.8 million.

Despite the $ 135.8 million increase in foreign aid in the past financial year, Lowy Institute Research Associate Grace Stanhope has called on Albanian administration to do more.

“Currently, Australia spends 0.18 percent of gross national income on auxiliary auxiliary a quarter of the OECD goal (organization for economic cooperation and development) of 0.7 percent,” Mrs. Stanhope fored fored The interpreter.

She added: “In the end it is not to escape that the Australia auxiliary budget is too low, which threatens Australia’s status like a world burger.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wanted to strengthen the relationship with Indonesia when he traveled to Jakarta during his first official visit since he was re -elected (depicted: the Prime Minister inspects an honorary guard with Indonesian President Pabowo Subianto)

Only 0.65 percent of federal government spending currently goes abroad.

The generosity of Australia has decreased over time.

In 2015, for example, Australia was ranked on the 14th most generous country in terms of overseas help, which contributed about 0.29 percent of gross national income (GNI),

While in 2024 the ranking was going to the 18th, with only 0.19 percent from Gni to Overseas help, according to the Australian Aid Tracker.

It is unlikely that this situation will improve soon, because Mrs. Stanhope notices: ‘There is little political appetite for meaningful scaling overseas releases.

“Labour’s first term promise of a rebuilding of a utility was largely unimagined,” she added.

This is against a worldwide background in which countries such as the US, the UK, France and Germany have drastically reduced their help with overseas development.

Many Australians were frustrated that billions of dollars were sent abroad, while the country faces its own challenges.

“What about helping Australia first,” said one on social media.

“I think it’s funny that no politician asked me if they can use my money to send abroad, after all it is that it came from my wage package,” a second added.

“Five billion he could spend on electricity accounts for his own people,” said another.

“Imagine that this has been added to our defense budget – to buy more defense capacities, to perhaps defend Australia,” a third said.

Although the money is being sent abroad, Australia does not receive foreign help from other countries.

“So we are almost a trillion of dollars in debt and give five billion abroad, that means that we borrow money to give it away,” said one.

“Five billion would stop disasters in hospitals, help floods and drought victims, reduce our national debt, build amazing infrastructure for Australia,” a second said.