Bob Carr (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

We are striving to tackle the root causes of human rights programs, such as poverty and instability, through our aid program. Next year Australia's aid budget—

Senator Milne interjecting —

I welcome all the support from Senator Milne; I thank her for those supportive noises. Next year Australia's aid budget will be $5.7 billion, up by more than $2.5 billion since 2007. Australian aid directly funds practical human rights initiatives.

Senator Brandis interjecting—

And I thank Senator Brandis for his support. Excitement ripples through their benches as we talk about human rights; they cannot contain themselves, and neither can the Greens. By 2015-16 our aid will have supported 40,000 women survivors of violence and helped train attendance at more than one million births. We are helping over 100 organisations pursue this agenda. By 2015-16 we will be providing education for half a million boys and girls. (Time expired)