Labour to get overseas aid back on track to eliminate poverty

Labour will refocus our overseas aid on poverty elimination through supporting education, health and governance initiatives, as well as through sustainable economic development, says Labour's Overseas Development Assistance spokesperson Maryan Street.

"The current government has adopted an arrogant 'we know best' position on overseas aid and completely sidetracked the NGO sector - despite New Zealand's long-held and well-deserved reputation for delivering effective aid programmes," Maryan Street said.

"National's meddling and muddling in overseas aid is leaving people worse off, as it rolls out its discredited ideology that the only way to eliminate poverty is through private commercial enterprise.

"Aid money must be used effectively and transparently. Handing untendered aid contracts over to the private sector or to private individuals, as this minister has done, lessens accountability and leads to cronyism and corruption. Meanwhile, the very people we are meant to be supporting lose out.

"Labour will re-establish NZAID as New Zealand's international development agency. This government folded NZAID back into the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, blurring the lines between aid and diplomacy.

"We will restore New Zealand's reputation for international best practice in aid and will restore the strategic partnership between NZAID and New Zealand-based NGOs.

"Labour will continue the current government's emphasis on the Pacific but will refocus attention on the Millennium Development Goals, which include health and education goals as well as building up sustainable economic initiatives.

"We will also develop a specialist peace-building capability in the Asia-Pacific region, drawing on our extensive experience in mediation and conflict resolution in Bougainville, Timor Leste and the Solomon Islands," Maryan Street said.

Authorised by Maryan Street, MP, Parliament Buildings, Wellington

© Scoop Media