Spent a lot of time in the Solomons, or PNG then have you Ron H? I'm sure you know all about them, the effect of aid, & what is needed.

Perhaps you are more like our author, managing to skim a damn good living off the top of the aid money.

It would be pretty easy to open my ears, if our aid ever did anything useful. Unfortunately for the aid lobby, when my ears are shut, my eyes are wide open, & I see a huge rort, here & in the recipient countries.

Until I see something useful done with our aid, I most certainly will be deaf to the fat cats of the aid/welfare industry.

Just like JF Aus, I saw our aid wasted on new edifices like a pretentious parliament house, while villagers died of a scratch that became infected. The aid industry should hang it's head in shame, having done so little with so much for so long.

Australia’s humanitarian assistance has deteriorated in the past 10 years. Neighbouring Solomon Islands provides example. Now it is almost impossible for SI people to obtain a visa to enter Australia. Applications are now processed in PNG.

Australian Immigration demands a bank statement with SI to Aus visa applications, either from the applicant or their sponsor. Even a multi-millionaire recently received a “no” from Aus Immigration, but that was quickly sorted out.

Ordinary Aus people with SI friends are not so fortunate and the A.$150 or so visa application fee is not refundable, no explanation available. There is no information or warning either, as to what the bank statement balance should be.

Just a few minutes ago I asked two backpackers from Spain what the visa application requirements were for them to arrive in Sydney yesterday.
They told they applied over the Internet in Bali with no bank statement or letter required.
They have a 12 month visa but must leave every 3 months and come back again. That sounds like a nice setup for travel agents and airlines, and for Aus GNP and GDP political propaganda.

Other backpackers from Europe say they get a 12 month tourist or working visa plus second year if they agree spending 3 months fruit picking, without any bank statement or letter.

Spain’s economy is not good but neither is the economy in neighbouring Solomon Islands where MDG achievement is actually going backwards, without genuine development aid from Aus.

Canberra has a lot to answer for, including apparent racism.
What could justify obstructing a few decent island people coming to Aus even to just visit sponsoring friends.
Why are SI to Aus visas stamped with absolutely no work allowed?
The situation is bringing shame toward Australian people and the nation.

The SW Pacific Islands were once an idyllic international attraction to our part of the world.
Aus farmers and business traded there.

Now regional tourism and trade and peace and security sustainability is collapsing unchecked.

Many SI people need a little cash to buy alternative food.
Their traditional available seafood supply is devastated

Tim, Tim, Tim. You know & we all know that this is all BS. If you can get the Aid increased then you'll will get a nice fat Bonus on top of your very generous Salary,Expense Account,Perks & another medal.

We all realize that very little of the money raised or sent as Aid reaches the people it's intended for. As I was once told, "You raise money to spend on raising money to raise money & everybody has a good time at those parties, but very little Aid get's through to us at all." The only time Aid get to the people is when an updated Photo Session is needed. You & you entourage turn up, having flown over 1st. Class & staying in a 5 Star Hotel in the best suite, hiring a Limo, then presenting some people in a dishevelled village with a little gift from the Generous "xxxx Aid." Usually about 10% of what it cost for you to get there.

Does this happen. Yes it does. I've got the Tee Shirt.

Tim, I realize that you may get upset with the way this is written. Please try to interperate it in a Politically Correct Mode. They didn't have Politically Correct when I went to school. We were taught to tell the plain straight truth with out the diplomatic BS that Politicians & CEO's of Aid Organizations get to spin.
Cont.

Cont.
Tim: In absolute terms Australia's is the eighth largest aid program.

After reading all the statistics,I'm confused. Statistics are good for confusing people. Are we 23rd. or 8th.?

Australia is a huge country with a small population 23M compared to 300M in most of the developed countries you havent mentioned. We have a widely dispersed population. Australia's Infrastructure is buckling at the knees. Roads, Rail, Hospitals, Schools, Health, Security, Emergency Services are all failing. The Governments are sending 8 Billion overseas in mostly wasted Aid to Countries that "Hate our Guts." That's 8 Billion from the Government, not counting Aid from the many other Aid Organizations that doesn't really get to the people either.

Let's look at a success. Bob Geldoff & save the Children. Yes we did save a lot. Where are these children now. They are mostly running around shooting up Shopping centres, Pirating Ships at sea & killing one another in the name of their religion. Great stuff, eh. I can hear you now, "I don't want to know about that stuff, hearing about it offends me."

Why does Indonesia get upset when Australia says it might cut back on Aid. It's because they don't consider it to be Aid. It's the Yitzah Tax that the West is obligated to pay to Muslims because we are Infidels. The West pours boundless monies into thes countries just to prolong their suffering. With all the Oil Rich Muslim Countries standing by & watching on, doing nothing. Maybe providing Sharia Based Schools for the male children so they will grow up to be good little Jihadists.

Tim: "This is borne out by" down to, "The review made 39 recommendations."

I haven't a clue what the recomendations were. Mostly paper work I guess. Nothing practicle, Political Correctness & Dipolmacy. Everybody can go back to their offices & drink their Martini's Dry, & feel all warm & fuzzy.

Sorry Tim, it just doesn't cut it with me or others. Enjoy your Enhanced Salary. I bet it feels good to know you're having an effect on the poorer Nations of the World.

JayB,

You refer to aid money from Australia going to other countries.
Do you think that money is leaving Australia or is all or a majority of it being paid to Australian consultants and Australian aid business interests?

So much money has to show up and be seen somewhere. I don't see any evidence of such money in pockets or purses of Solomon Islands government society or other SI people.

Even if there are virtual money laundering investments overseas, surely there would be indication of wealth in some way shape or form, but there is none that I can see.
Such billions are not leaving Australia in my opinion. Therein could be explanation why such AID is not effective.

JF Aus: Even if there are virtual money laundering investments overseas, surely there would be indication of wealth in some way shape or form, but there is none that I can see. Such billions are not leaving Australia in my opinion. Therein could be explanation why such AID is not effective.

Ya don't say. ;-) I wonder what Tim's got to say on the subject. Coff, coff, choke.