Now, now girls and boys. One mustn’t become too insular.

If the Australian government is handing out $70 million to Bangladesh, then the Australian government should be taking an interest in how the money is being spent, AND ON WHO.

Ones mustn’t have the money being spent on those that need it the least.

And ones must also consider what other countries are doing for Australia, which is not much.

Iswould also think that if academics want foreign students, (and not just their money) thens academics should have an interest in Australia and in other countries (although considering the rate of buying imported products into schools and universities, academics don’t seem to have the slightest interest in this country, other than in the taxpayer’s dollar).

vanna

I rather think the point that is being made is that we should not be handing out ANY money to Bangladesh in the first place.

On another thead King Hazza wrote:

>>if they would ever want our help, they can ask for it first.>>

If the Bangladeshi Government puts in a formal request for aid we can state in advance whatever condition we wish to impose. The Bangladeshis can then decide for themselves whether they want to proceed with their request. Under such cirumstances every one knows what they are getting themselves into.

But if we try to spring this on the Bangladeshis now what do you think will happen? Do you really think the loss of $70mn will sway them one way or the other. All we'll have done is made an enemy of yet another Muslim nation.

But by and large I don't see the point in our handing out foreign aid. On the whole it does no good and when we try to impose conditions it makes us enemies.

I agree. Let's cut our foreign aid budget to zero. if we must spend the money let's spend it on helping Australians.

I mean can you seriously imagine a Muslim nation listening to us on human rights issues?

Just a little reality check vanna ;-)

lentaubman,
Yes, well it is rather a bind.

We will give you aid, and in return, don't blow us up at some time in the future.

I suppose aid money is better (and perhaps cheaper) than being blown up, but of course it can lead to a type of blackmail, whereby, if we don't supply aid, then we could be blown up at some time in the future.

Heres hoping that the indigenous of Bangladesh do something constructive for Australia in the future.

I would be weary about the money falling into the wrong hands.
Hopefully this money is in the form of goods, and not something that can be turned into an ak47.

I would be weary about the money falling into the wrong hands.
579
51 % of the australian population obviously didn't give a hoot a couple of months ago.

vanna

Do you seriously think the people who want to blow us up can be bought off with a bit of aid?

And do you think it's a good idea to try and buy them off in the first place.

Here's how Kipling put it:

(The Danegeld was a tax raised to pay tribute to the Viking raiders to save a land from being ravaged.)

IT IS always a temptation to an armed and agile nation,
To call upon a neighbour and to say:
"We invaded you last night - we are quite prepared to fight,
Unless you pay us cash to go away."

And that is called asking for Dane-geld,
And the people who ask it explain
That you’ve only to pay ’em the Dane-geld
And then you’ll get rid of the Dane!

It is always a temptation to a rich and lazy nation,
To puff and look important and to say:
"Though we know we should defeat you, we have not the time to meet you.
We will therefore pay you cash to go away."

And that is called paying the Dane-geld;
But we’ve proved it again and again,
That if once you have paid him the Dane-geld
You never get rid of the Dane.

It is wrong to put temptation in the path of any nation,
For fear they should succumb and go astray,
So when you are requested to pay up or be molested,
You will find it better policy to say:

"We never pay any one Dane-geld,
No matter how trifling the cost,
For the end of that game is oppression and shame,
And the nation that plays it is lost!"