Aid Package or Financial Donor?
The Australian government has dubbed an aid package to Indonesia worth over 1 billion dollars “The Tsunami Relief Package”. But is it really generous Tsunami relief? The aid package includes a loan to the Indonesian government for over 500 million dollars that, if accepted, Indonesia will need to pay back. The package has also been announced at a time Prime Minister John Howard is seeking closer economic relations between Australia and Indonesia, with the PM meeting Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono next week. Non-government organization, Aid-Watch are worried about the package. They argue a de-facto loan should not be dressed up as aid. They also say the package should be designated for tsunami affected areas, instead of all of Indonesia. Tim O’Connor, an aid campaigner spoke to Michael Atkin about his concerns.