Each year, Australia spends billions of dollars on providing aid to poorer countries to improve health systems, poverty, education as well as providing immediate assistance when natural disasters hit. The Australian Government's overseas aid program is improving the lives of millions of people in developing countries. The statement saying “Australia has an ethical and moral responsibility to provide aid to countries which are less well off” is debateable. The provision of aid by Australia inevitably has cultural, economic and geopolitical impacts. Whether these impacts are positive or negative for Australia to some extent depends on perspective. There are several advantages as well as disadvantages associated with Australia providing aid which can be seen as both positive and negative impacts on Australia. Advantages include that it improves regional relations and it creates future markets for our goods and services. However on the other side, disadvantages include harm to Australia’s international relations, it encourages culture of dependence and as well as other negative impacts of the developing countries.
Australia has an ethical and moral responsibility to provide aid to countries which are less well-off as it can improve regional relations with countries and it creates a caring and compassionate image of Australia. A wealthy country that focuses on serving the needs of its own population without assisting its less fortunate neighbours would, of course, be perceived negatively. Through its aid programs, the Australian Government is working to achieve greater equality and social justice for the Asia Pacific region. Australia provides aid to improve many aspects such as clean water, food, housing, health care, education and economic opportunities. By doing this, it creates a positive image of Australia as we are seen as caring and compassionate towards