definition for: #maintainaid

The #maintainaid campaign is an initiative to bring together a group of stakeholders who are concerned about the wide-ranging impacts of cuts to the Australian foreign aid budget, on the health, education, wellbeing and economic prosperity of those in most need. In addition, the campaign is concerned for the potential foreign relations impact cuts to the foreign aid budget might cause. The #maintainaid campaign has formed in response to the actions of both Labor and Coalition governments in weakening the Australia foreign aid budget, over a number of years. We believe that Australia should adhere to its international obligations, and to the numerous pledges made by political leaders of all persuasions, in not cutting the foreign aid budget. A prosperous nation such as Australia has the means and the imperative to provide financial assistance to less prosperous nations, and that the world's poor should not be deprived of this valuable support. The #maintainaid campaign contains members from a broad range of backgrounds and fields of expertise, and with significant collective organisational and social media experience. The objectives of the #maintainaid campaign include: 1. To contribute to a positive public discussion about the importance of foreign aid, and of ensuring maximal effectiveness of the Australian foreign aid budget. 2. To restore announced cuts to the Australian foreign aid budget. 3. To ensure a commitment to a foreign aid contribution target of 0.7% of Gross National Income, as per Australia's international obligations, and in line with many other nations around the world.