Any money that we give to Indonesia frees up their money to be spent on terrorism and in the case of West Papua an attempt at genocide.

Next time you are happy that some child in Indonesia is being vaccinated think that the money saved is probably going to the killing of some unfortunate who doesn't want to be under the rule of the fascists in Jojakata.

Further to the above:

"A member of the West Papuan peace negotiating committee says torture and terror are a daily occurence in Indonesia's attempt to subdue the Melanesian population in the provinces of Papua."

See: http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/program/pacific-beat/torture-and-terror-a-daily-occurence-in-west-papua-activist/1201210

Is Mise,

I have no doubt its true.
There is much mineral wealth involved and it not just the Indonesians who do not want to see independence for West Papua.
As an aside I owned a small yacht that was built in Holland and was sold out of West Papua when the Dutch moved on. A tenuous thread to another time of colonialism for West Papua.
There are many wrongs in the world and there is so little one can do about them except hope that time will provide some resolution.
One can only help the best one can under the circumstances.
Take it easy.

SD

We can without effort change the thread to include every wrong in the world.
Nothing is gained by doing just that.
Given a chance Australians would by massive margins, vote for Indonesia to leave all of Timor and too New Guinea.
But if we continue to splatter our thoughts in this case to well known past wrongs we gain nothing.
I too could put a good case for more aid, my heart supports just that.
But I have no need to nit pick to find fault in this government.
They are doing that better than I ever could.
But ignore th4e increasing cuts from most country,s, and the concern at the way aid is spent at the peril of those in need.
Many country,s/people are reluctant to give because it is being abused.

Paul1405 - You have really outdone yourself with your reply.

If you read what I wrote and have been saying a lot of the money goes to executive salaries, perks and administration. Yes in some countries a lot goes in corruption.

Please activate brain before applying fingers to keyboard to save future embarrassment.

Dear Paul,

Thanks for that.

As Professor Tor Hundloe points out,

"There but for the grace of God, or if a non-believer,
go I. We could all be the child who has never been at
school but finds themselves working in a Third World
sweat-shop, six days a week, sending most of their wages
back to their parents and eight siblings who live in
rural poverty, while he/she lives in a slum, breathes
particulate-dense air, is constantly on guard against the
crippling diseases that lurk within their drinking water.

Yet they are the lucky ones because at least they have
life-sustaining meagre rations and a neighbourhood
health-clinic when the inevitable illness occurs. Those
back in the distant village will scratch and scrape for food
and rely on witchcraft when illness arrives."