AUSTRALIA- VIETNAM_ Tony Abbott defends $11 billion cut to foreign aid program as 'modest'

ABC NEWS
 
Tony Abbott defends $11 billion cut to foreign aid program as 'modest'

By political reporter Peta Donald Updated yesterday at 8:27pm

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has been forced to defend his Government's $11 billion cut to Australia's overseas aid program.

Mr Abbott was asked about the cut at a joint press conference with Vietnamese prime minister Nguyen Tan Dung, who leads a country where one in 10 people live on $US1.25 ($1.64) or less each day.

"Yes, there have been some modest reductions coming up in Australia's aid budget," Mr Abbott said.

"Our aid budget has been growing very strongly in recent years and we think it's important to pause it and scale it back a bit, before it then starts to grow again in a few years time."

Mr Dung, who was also asked to comment on the Australian aid cut, remained silent.

The two leaders signed an enhanced comprehensive partnership agreement, building on two earlier agreements.

Mr Abbott said the agreement would lead to greater defence cooperation, including joint military exercises to be held in Australia and 120 Vietnamese military personnel coming to Australia for training.

"The countries of Asia will all advance together or none or us will advance at all," Mr Abbott said.

"Particularly given the history, it's terrific to see that our countries are building a high level of mutual trust and cooperation."

Mr Dung said the two leaders had "substantive talks that produced remarkable results in the spirit of friendship, mutual trust and mutual understanding".

As well as meeting Mr Abbott, Mr Dung met other senior government ministers and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten.

A small band of protesters waited in the rain for Mr Dung to arrive at Parliament House in Canberra this morning, demonstrating against human rights abuses and calling for democracy in Vietnam.

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A small band of protesters waited in the rain for Mr Dung to arrive at Parliament House in Canberra this morning, demonstrating against human rights abuses and calling for democracy in Vietnam.

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