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The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP
Deputy Leader of the Opposition
Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Development
Abbott Government reveals further cuts to overseas aid
25 MARCH 2014
CANBERRA
In Question Time today, the Abbott Government was forced to reveal it will cut a further $9 billion in overseas aid.
Mr Abbott described overseas aid funding from 2017-18 detailed in his Government’s own Budget update, the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook*, as just an ‘aspiration’.
This is yet another example of the Abbott Government misleading the Australian public about its real plans – to cut.
Today’s revelation comes on top of the Abbott Government’s earlier decision to rip $4.5 billion out of the overseas aid budget in the four years to 2016-17.
The extra $9 billion cut will put many outstanding international development programs at serious risk.  The impact will be particularly acute given the devastating effects of the Abbott Government’s first $4.5 billion cut are already being felt in our region, and around the world.