MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
I am pleased to release details of a major national poll which shows a high level of support among Australians for the Government's overseas aid program.
The poll, conducted in June, showed that 84 per cent of respondents approved of Australia giving foreign aid.
A total 78 per cent either approved of the amount the Government spends on foreign aid or believed the Government should spend more.
The results support the Government's belief that the aid program, by addressing the needs of the world's most disadvantaged, is a clear statement of Australian values.
The survey shows that a clear majority of Australians support the notion that we should help others around us and not live in splendid isolation, pretending we are not part of a global community where millions of people have no choice but to live in extreme poverty.
It adds weight to the Government's faith in the generosity of Australians and our commitment to giving others worse off than ourselves a fair go.
The survey was conducted by Newspoll on behalf of the Government in association with the Australian Council for Overseas Aid and other non-government organisations delivering overseas aid. It followed my acceptance last year of a recommendation by the Simons Committee review of the aid program that the Government's aid agency, AusAID, cooperate with non-government agencies to conduct public attitudes research.
The poll showed that 84 per cent of those surveyed approved of Australia giving aid, 52 per cent approving a 'lot' and 32 per cent approving a 'little'. A total of 13 per cent disapproved.
Just over 42 per cent of respondents believed the Government should maintain its current expenditure on overseas aid, while around 36 per cent believed the Government should spend more. A total of 15 per cent believed the Government should spend less.
Asked to choose between 'moral responsibility' and Australia's 'long-term interests' as the more important reason for overseas aid, 54 per cent nominated moral responsibility and 33 per cent Australia's long-term interests. Respondents believed the main reasons for giving aid were: to help people in need (30 per cent); because there was a humanitarian imperative (20 per cent); and because Australia could afford to do so (14 per cent).
Newspoll conducted the survey by telephone over the period 19-21 June. A total 1200 respondents aged 18 years and over were polled by means of a random sample process which included a quota for each capital city and non-capital city area.
Details of the poll are being further examined as part of a process of maintaining a sound basis for providing public information on the aid program.
Media Contacts:
Innes Willox (Minister's office) 02 62777500 or 0419 206890 Matt Francis (AusAID) 02 62064967 or 0417 683126