May 23, 2006 
 
There is a disconnect between the urgency of social and environmental issues that Australia is facing and the pace at which the government and the Federal Budget is addressing them said Tim Costello, CEO of World Vision at the Melbourne Chartered Accountants Business Forum today.  
"An increase of $25 million in Aboriginal health spending will do little to close the 17 year life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians and little to abolish the abuse that has been reported in the news this week," said Costello.  
 
The Australian Medical Association has indicated that an additional $400 million per year is needed to tackle the issues of the Indigenous.  
 
"But it is not just a simple question of money, it is only part of the answer. We all need to know what our responsibilities are and act on them," said Costello. "Australia exists with two different cultures with very different needs. To address these issues we need to understand that education, nor visits to a health centre are not part of an Aboriginals value system."  
 
"Australian gives more to world poverty, second only to Ireland. But most Government Aid is going to law and order, rather than health. We need to shift priorities. Education and health is at the very foundation of white Australian culture and if there is no education, there is no future for the children," Costello continued.  
 
One and a half per cent of the national funding pool is allocated to tackle indigenous disadvantage and has remained at this level for the last ten years.