'Fair go, Joe': Billboard targets foreign aid cuts

It might be the season for giving, but there's one present that's unlikely to go down well with Federal Treasurer Joe Hockey. Charity groups are planning to raise enough money so that they can place a mobile billboard out the front of Joe Hockey's North Sydney electoral office.

Charities are angry over suspected further government plans to cut funding to foreign aid. (AAP)

Aid groups are angry over the government's cuts to the foreign aid budget. (AAP)

The proposed billboard was in response to speculation that the Federal Government may be planning another round of cuts to foreign aid spending.

ActionAid Australia and Make Poverty History were behind the crowd sourcing campaign to raise money to fund the billboard, which they plan to drive around Mr Hockey's electorate in North Sydney to get their point across.

The Executive Officer of Make Poverty History Tony Milne said a third cut would have a serious impact.



"Already we've seen 20 per cent of budget savings come out of the Australian aid budget, and a third cut would be devastating.

Around $7.6 billion dollars was cut from the foreign aid program the 2014 federal budget in May, marking the largest single source of savings for the government.

As for the billboard, Tony Milne said it would give people a chance to express their support for the government's foreign aid program as well as an opportunity to express concern about further cuts.

"It's going to say 'three cuts to aid and one term as treasurer, enough is enough Mr Hockey, don't cut aid.' The other side of the mobile billboard will say 'Fair go Joe don't cut aid."

ActionAid Australia and Make Poverty History launched the campaign this week.

The Government has yet to confirm if there will be any further cuts to the foreign aid budget.


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By Peggy Giakoumelos
Source: SBS

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