Australia is strongly linked to Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and New Zealand geographically and historically.
Papua New Guinea:
The aid that Australia provides for Papua New Guinea is namely bilateral, meaning Australia assists with development, provided by the Australian government. PNG also receives 332 million dollars from AusAID, annually.
An advantage of the bilateral aid program is the obvious fact that the residents of PNG are bettered by having improved housing, schools, farms and so forth; the aim of providing aid is to help, assist or support someone/something and the bilateral aid programs undoubtedly achieves this. Also, by aiding PNG Australia ensures a continued good relationship with them.
A disadvantage of the bilateral aid program is that Australia is spending millions of dollars every year to fund this program, between 2006 and 2007, PNG accounted for 26% of the total aid budget; seeing as though Australia is not in the best economic shape, this money could be spent elsewhere, the aid is putting Australia at an economic disadvantage.
AusAID has provided PNG with approximately 332 million dollars, this is obviously very advantageous to the population of PNG as AusAID have assisted with the country’s lack of adequate housing, schools, job opportunities, agriculture etc.; however a disadvantage to AusAID’s assistance to Papua New Guinea is the fact that they give PNG a staggering 332 million dollars each year; PNG is the 45th poorest country in the world, while a worrying statistic, is is clear that there is 44 other countries who would benefit moreso from the millions of dollars given to PNG, thus proving that this aid is putting other countries at a disadvantage.
Aid can have negative effects on local communities, as aid agencies make certain decisions without taking into account the social, cultural and environmental needs of the said community. For example, in Papua New Guinea , The Bougainville Copper Mine and the OK Tedi Mine were established by Australian aid agencies and have had significant environmental impacts aswell as considerably affecting the health of many residents of PNG. PNG has a heavy reliance on Australian aid, Australia, being PNG’s major source of income, this is creating an uneven power relationship between the countries, creating a geopolitical disadvantage.
Indonesia:
The country that is ranked as the top receiver of Australian aid is Indonesia, like PNG, Indonesia also takes place in the bilateral aid program; Australia will provide support and assistance to Indonesia when natural disaster strikes, for example, tsunamis and earthquakes.
An advantage of Australia giving aid to Indonesia, is the fact that it provides the much needed help for the Indonesians, it also allows Australia to maintain a strong bond and link with Indonesia; these links provide peace and insurance for the future.
A disadvantage of this link - giving aid to Indonesia, is the fact that annually, Indonesia is given a hefty 345 million dollars by Australia; the same thing applies, as with PNG, this large sum of money could potentially be spent elsewhere, bettering Australia’s economy, that is not to say that Australia should not be providing this generous aid, just that it puts Australia at an economic disadvantage.
New Zealand:
While New Zealand receives no annual aid, Australia is always ready to give them support and assistance in times of natural disasters, for example, the recent Christchurch Earthquake. An advantage of readily providing New Zealand with aid is the maintenance of a strong relationship and an equally strong geographical, economical, social and security link.
There is no real disadvantage, except for the small economic disadvantage to Australia.
Papua New Guinea:
The aid that Australia provides for Papua New Guinea is namely bilateral, meaning Australia assists with development, provided by the Australian government. PNG also receives 332 million dollars from AusAID, annually.
An advantage of the bilateral aid program is the obvious fact that the residents of PNG are bettered by having improved housing, schools, farms and so forth; the aim of providing aid is to help, assist or support someone/something and the bilateral aid programs undoubtedly achieves this. Also, by aiding PNG Australia ensures a continued good relationship with them.
A disadvantage of the bilateral aid program is that Australia is spending millions of dollars every year to fund this program, between 2006 and 2007, PNG accounted for 26% of the total aid budget; seeing as though Australia is not in the best economic shape, this money could be spent elsewhere, the aid is putting Australia at an economic disadvantage.
AusAID has provided PNG with approximately 332 million dollars, this is obviously very advantageous to the population of PNG as AusAID have assisted with the country’s lack of adequate housing, schools, job opportunities, agriculture etc.; however a disadvantage to AusAID’s assistance to Papua New Guinea is the fact that they give PNG a staggering 332 million dollars each year; PNG is the 45th poorest country in the world, while a worrying statistic, is is clear that there is 44 other countries who would benefit moreso from the millions of dollars given to PNG, thus proving that this aid is putting other countries at a disadvantage.
Aid can have negative effects on local communities, as aid agencies make certain decisions without taking into account the social, cultural and environmental needs of the said community. For example, in Papua New Guinea , The Bougainville Copper Mine and the OK Tedi Mine were established by Australian aid agencies and have had significant environmental impacts aswell as considerably affecting the health of many residents of PNG. PNG has a heavy reliance on Australian aid, Australia, being PNG’s major source of income, this is creating an uneven power relationship between the countries, creating a geopolitical disadvantage.
Indonesia:
The country that is ranked as the top receiver of Australian aid is Indonesia, like PNG, Indonesia also takes place in the bilateral aid program; Australia will provide support and assistance to Indonesia when natural disaster strikes, for example, tsunamis and earthquakes.
An advantage of Australia giving aid to Indonesia, is the fact that it provides the much needed help for the Indonesians, it also allows Australia to maintain a strong bond and link with Indonesia; these links provide peace and insurance for the future.
A disadvantage of this link - giving aid to Indonesia, is the fact that annually, Indonesia is given a hefty 345 million dollars by Australia; the same thing applies, as with PNG, this large sum of money could potentially be spent elsewhere, bettering Australia’s economy, that is not to say that Australia should not be providing this generous aid, just that it puts Australia at an economic disadvantage.
New Zealand:
While New Zealand receives no annual aid, Australia is always ready to give them support and assistance in times of natural disasters, for example, the recent Christchurch Earthquake. An advantage of readily providing New Zealand with aid is the maintenance of a strong relationship and an equally strong geographical, economical, social and security link.
There is no real disadvantage, except for the small economic disadvantage to Australia.