Vanuatu 21

This is not really a Vanuatu update. And given that this is not intended to be a political blog, I'll keep this brief.

The discussion among NGOs and other groups in Vila today has been the Australian budget. Countries like Vanuatu, very small, fragile and vulnerable to natural disaster, are dependant on countries like Australia. Think, if you will, a city the size of Geelong having to deal with a major cyclone, earthquake or volcanic eruption every other year, and deal with rising sea levels at the same time... And then spread that city over 83 islands. That's Vanuatu.

Today's news therefore has not been good. The cuts announced this evening have not surprised our sector, but will devastate it nonetheless. Tonight Australia's government decided to give less, proportionally, than it has ever given in our proud history of supporting overseas development.

In real terms it means that people, in countries like Vanuatu, will not receive the support they need. Reconstruction programs following natural disasters will not happen. Important educational, developmental and health programs across a range of countries that neighbour Australia will be cut.

I'm sure that there are measures within Australia that will raise concern as well. I have read of the planned activity test for child support and wonder how that is going to play out for families.

I'm sure that there is a need to find a way to balance the budget in the longer term, and this will mean compromises every time. Hurting the most vulnerable should not be the way this happens.