you are a difficult person ismise, this is about aid, not terrorism,it is a fact that every Australian government, from the day the Dutch left, has sold out that part of a country never ever part of Indonesia! ok now? can I go back to aid?why introduce totally different subjects?aid is the issue and as even the current government seems to support my view is it only an extreme right that is being heard and seen? why bloke do you mine for some
thing to harass other posters, is that your reason for being here? never won a battle in real life?

Dear Belly,

Opportunities are created for us when others prosper.
We've seen that happen with the recovery of Japan after
WWII and with China after it opened up. That we changed our
attitudes and devoted resources to building our relationships
with both Japan and China has produced good results
for us all.

We have many of our resource companies involved in so many
projects and countries. Many of our agriculture, education, and
water management companies are also involved.

The following link explains further:

http://theconversation.com/why-is=australian-foreign-aid-so-important-18428

There is a school of thought that says we should be lifting our aid in the region to combat Chinese Debt Trap Diplomacy. China is 'colonising’ small countries in the Pacific, according to the Australian Strategic Policy Institute. The Chinese loan money, and when the loan cannot be repaid, they seize a port or other facility as compensation.

“Eventually, where economic activity goes, military power follows”.

Any infrastructure and building that is part of the deal is carried out by Chinese workers. The 'aid’ doesn't extend to providing jobs for locals. This further spreads the Chinese diaspora in the region.

Australia does not make loans that cannot be repaid. China does so knowingly, and probably deliberately.

Although foreign aid sometimes grates with Australians, the aggressive, devious behaviour of China makes it important for our security. China is not a nice country.

terrorise West New Guineans or some other unfortunate minority.
Is Mise,
I think you're pretty badly misinformed. The Air Force is taking villagers twice a week into the major town for free so they can trade their produce. MAF is also providing a very good service with their planes. Unfortunately, some australian based & educated West Papuans are relentless in keeping the pot stirred so peace & harmony have no real chance. The most loathed outfits are australian NGO's.
I recall some papuans killing six indonesian Police Officers in I think it was Waimena but not a whimper from any NGO but when the BRI Mob went after the attackers & got them it was all Indonesian brutality. Some NGO's have even less integrity than the Media.
How do i know ? Well, I spoke with the people who were on their way to West Papua from Australia in three boats full of Free West Papua characters but then they got cold feet.

five innocent Australian journos.
Is Mise,
Innocent ? My understanding is that they were repeatedly warned & asked not to go there as it was literally a war zone.
They simply relied on the belief that by being Australian they had some sort of immunity from being targetted. Unfortunately, as it turned out they were mistaken.

Belly,

You brought up Indonesia:

"John Howard used aid to Indonesia to fund schools to educate the young about how wrong faith based teaching of hate is, surely that was aid in our best interests?"

and that freed up money that helped Indonesia to further terrorise West New Guinea, don't get upset if someone disagrees with you.

Or are you happy to be a potential South Irianese?

Indonesia invaded West New Guinea so if some of the locals object and defend their right to determine their own future in their own country then STIFF.

The fact that Australia gutlessly went along with Indonesia's aggression doesn't make it right.

Indonesia shouldn't get one cent of Australian taxpayers' money.