Christine Milne (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes:

(i) That the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (the Global Fund) has made significant gains in slowing the spread of these diseases,

(ii) a total of $12.2 billion has been raised thus far by nations and private donors around the world, short of the target of $15 billion for the 2014-2016 funding period,

(iii) the United States Government has pledged to donate an additional $1 for every $2 other donors pledge by 30 September 2014,

(iv) the Government of the United Kingdom has pledged to donate a further $300 million if the $15 billion target is reached, and15   

(v) Australia has pledged $200 million to the Global Fund for the period 2014-2016; and

(b) calls on the Australian Government to utilise the generous incentives being offered by the governments of the United States and United Kingdom by making an urgent pledge of an additional $125 million to the Global Fund.

Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Gavin Marshall (Victoria, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Australian government supports the work of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. On 3 December 2013 the Minister for Foreign Affairs announced that Australia would commit $200 million over three years to support the Global Fund, the equal highest contribution by an Australian government. Australia is a top-10 donor country to the Global Fund. This contribution is part of an estimated $270 million that Australia will provide to fight HIV-AIDS in our region over the next three years. Australia is also represented on the boards of the Global Fund and UNAIDS, where we continue to advocate strongly for our region. Given this substantial commitment of $200 million for the Global Fund, the government will not be making a further contribution during the current funding period.

Our responsible position stands in contrast to the action taken by Labor and the Greens. In government, Labor cut funding to the Global Fund by $10 million to pay for the onshore processing of asylum seekers. They also left no money in the forward estimates to provide for future contributions to the Global Fund. We are—as you know, Mr Deputy President—cleaning up Labor's budget mess. Australia's contribution to the Global Fund is appropriate for a sustainable, affordable and responsible aid program.

Question agreed to.