Walk highlights aid trickle

FREMANTLE’S Hannah Darch will join fellow Oxfam volunteers parading through Perth with buckets on their heads next Friday to highlight the federal government’s reduction in overseas aid.

Participants will fill buckets from the fountain in Forrest Place, before walking to Federal Finance Minister Mathias Cormann’s office where they’ll present an 80,000-strong petition calling for foreign aid to get a bigger slice of the budget.

• Hannah Darch and Sarah Laundy say Australia’s foreign aid needs to start flowing again.  Photo by Steve Grant

• Hannah Darch and Sarah Laundy say Australia’s foreign aid needs to start flowing again.  Photo by Steve Grant

Oxfam’s Paddy Cullen says Australia’s been giving less than it ever has.

“Aid has been reduced to a trickle at just 23 cents in every $100 of national income,” he says.

“This is less than a third of the UN recommendation of 70 cents in every $100 of income.

“We’re asking all political parties at this election to pledge to increase aid to 0.7 per cent of GNI by 2030 in line with our global responsibility,” Mr Cullen says.

The event will be taking place at 3pm on Friday June 24, starting in Forrest Place.

937 Lynn Maclaren 10x7

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